The Pittsburgh Penguins ensured that British Columbia-born twin brothers Markus and Liam Ruck would remain teammates by selecting both forwards at the 2026 NHL draft. The Medicine Hat Tigers stars, who had played together throughout their junior careers, were reunited in Pittsburgh after being chosen in the later rounds.
Stressful wait turned to joy
Markus Ruck admitted the uncertainty of the draft process was nerve-wracking. “I was pretty stressed,” he told reporters after being selected. The twins, who were born in Vancouver, had been projected as mid-to-late round picks but faced the possibility of being split up by different teams. Liam echoed his brother’s relief, saying the Penguins’ decision to draft both was a dream come true.
Twins’ journey from B.C. to the NHL
The Ruck twins developed their skills in British Columbia before joining the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League. Markus, a left-winger, and Liam, a center, both recorded strong seasons in 2025-26, with Markus tallying 28 goals and 35 assists while Liam contributed 22 goals and 40 assists. Their chemistry on the ice was a key factor in the Tigers’ playoff run.
Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas highlighted the twins’ complementary playing styles and familiarity with each other as assets. “They have a natural connection that can’t be taught,” Dubas said in a statement. “We’re excited to bring both of them into our organization.”
Impact on the Penguins’ future
The Penguins are in a rebuilding phase, and the addition of the Ruck twins bolsters their prospect pool. Both players are expected to report to Pittsburgh’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, for the 2026-27 season. Analysts believe their ability to play together could accelerate their development and provide the organization with a dynamic duo for years to come.
The draft marked the first time the Penguins selected twins since 2003, when they chose Paul and Peter Schaefer (though Peter was later traded). The Ruck twins are the first B.C.-born brothers drafted by the same team since the Sedin twins, Daniel and Henrik, were selected by the Vancouver Canucks in 1999.
