Twin brothers Liam and Markus Ruck estimate that the longest they’ve ever been apart from each other was four days. They’ve been together throughout their hockey careers, often on a forward line, playing youth hockey in British Columbia, junior in Medicine Hat of the WHL, and they’re committed to go to North Dakota together, too.

After selecting Liam 22nd overall on Day 1 of the NHL Draft on Friday, the Penguins ensured that the Ruck brothers won’t start spending time apart anytime soon, and selected Markus 39th overall in the second round on Saturday.

Kyle Dubas all but assured the Penguins would do so when he spoke after the first round on Friday, saying “that would make sense, if that’s the way that the board falls tomorrow,” to draft Markus. But still, the Penguins had to rely on a few teams passing on Markus to have him fall to them at No. 39.

I asked Markus after he was picked what the 13 hours or so between the Penguins picking Liam and his own selection were like for him.

“Nervous and just praying,” Markus said with a laugh. “I was definitely nervous, just hoping Pittsburgh would get me. To have it happen now, it’s so special. There’s not much words to describe it. Me and my family are just so happy and thankful for Pittsburgh.”

While there was a little unease, both brothers were pretty confident that the Penguins wanted them — and they wanted both of them. Liam said that he felt the most interest from the Penguins all-season, and Markus said they got a good indication that the Penguins wanted them both a few days ago.

“Pittsburgh called Liam and I a couple days before the draft and asked us a few questions,” Markus said. “They were the only team to do that, so we had an idea they were interested, and for them to do it, it’s so special.”

While it’s surely a benefit to either brother to have each other, the Penguins did get them roughly where both players were projected to be drafted in many ranking services. Liam was ranked 24th both by Elite Prospects and also Elite Prospects’ consensus poll of 10 scouts from around the league. Markus was ranked 43rd and 33rd respectively on those same lists.

Liam is a 6-foot, 176-pound, right-shot right winger, and Markus is a 6-foot, 168-pound, left-shot center and left winger. Markus said that he has more comfort at center, and is expected to play center next season in Medicine Hat, but has no issues playing wing if that’s where the Penguins want him.

Dubas, when asked on Friday what Liam needs to work on improving, spoke about both brothers as if Markus was already theirs.

“As you’ll see in a couple days (at development camp), physical development will be the key,” Dubas said. “That’ll allow them to build the power and improve their skating, and if they can unlock that, we think that’ll be a major development for them. Their body and their strength, as you’ll see when they’re in front of you, they’re skinny guys that are at the rink all the time and love hockey. You’ve got to build the power in them, and not get them off the ice as much as they are, and get them in the gym with our staff.”

Markus was Medicine Hat’s leading scorer last season with 108 points in 68 games, scoring 21 goals and racking up 87 assists. Liam was the better goal-scorer, with 45 of his 104 points being goals in his 68 games.

Liam on Friday called it a “good combination” being on a line with his brother, with “(Markus) being such a great playmaker and finding me in good scoring areas.”