Liam Ruck

Growing up in Osoyoos, Liam Ruck was on skates from the age of two, following the path of a father who played in the WHL. As an identical mirror twin to Markus, he developed at the Okanagan Hockey Academy in Penticton and posted notable numbers early on: 13 goals and 21 assists in 29 U15 games in 2021–22, then much larger totals in the subsequent seasons.

Selected ninth overall by the Medicine Hat Tigers in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft, Ruck made brief appearances in 2023–24 (three games, one goal and one assist) before becoming a regular the next year. In 2024–25 he played 61 games and recorded 25 goals and 16 assists, helping Medicine Hat capture the WHL championship. The 2025–26 campaign marked his personal breakout: 68 games, 45 goals and 59 assists for 104 points, finishing among the league leaders alongside his twin.

Those results earned both brothers first-team WHL Eastern Conference all-star honours and invitations to the WHL Prospects Game, where they served as alternate captains. Internationally, Liam represented Canada at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics, then helped win gold at the 2024 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, contributing four assists in five games. He also took part in the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where Canada won bronze and he posted three points in five games.

On 22 June 2026, both brothers announced commitments to the University of North Dakota for 2027–28. In the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, Liam was selected in the first round, 22nd overall, by the Pittsburgh Penguins. A right winger known for his scoring touch and on-ice partnership with his twin, Ruck’s progression through the WHL has been defined by increasing production and an ability to deliver in important games.