Penguins keep – The Pittsburgh Penguins kept the 2026 NHL Draft’s Ruck twins together, selecting Liam Ruck at No. 22 and Markus Ruck at No. 39 within 24 hours. The brothers said reuniting with the same organization felt “crazy” and “super special,” while both plan to return t
When Markus Ruck heard his name called Saturday, it didn’t just land as a dream—it arrived less than a day after his twin brother had already been drafted by the same organization.
The Pittsburgh Penguins made it official after selecting Liam Ruck in the first round with the 22nd overall pick on Friday, June 26. On Saturday, they followed by taking Markus Ruck with the 39th overall pick, keeping the twins together as the rest of the board moved around them.
“It would make sense if that’s the way the board falls,” Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas said Friday.
Liam described what it had been like to wait out the possibility that they might not stay side by side. “The longest span the brothers have been apart is four days.” He added. “We’re obviously pretty close brothers… We go through everything together. I hope his name is called soon because he deserves it.”.
It happened less than 24 hours later.
“To be picked by the same team is crazy,” Markus said Saturday. “It’s super special. We’re so thankful to the organization for doing that. We just can’t wait to get started.”
The Ruck brothers—both playing for Medicine Hat of the Western Hockey League—will return there next season. Markus posted 108 points while Liam had 104 as they helped fill the gap left when eventual Toronto Maple Leafs No. 1 overall pick Gavin McKenna left for Penn State.
Both brothers said the chemistry that comes from playing together isn’t something that’s easily replaced. “Liam and I work hand-in-hand with each other, and it’s a great fit,” Markus said.
A draft profile offered further detail on what each brings. Kyle Woodlief of Red Line Report said Markus has an “outstanding passing touch and playmaking skills. Excellent vision.” Woodlief added that Liam “wants the puck on his stick in pressure situations and thrived as the ‘go-to’ guy.”
Even with the twins’ reunion, the next steps are still clear. Both have committed to North Dakota for 2027. Liam said he’s already looking beyond the moment of being drafted. “There’s more work to do now that he’s drafted. ” he said. and focused on changing his game: “I want to be more explosive with my skating. I think that’s going to come with strength. I need to get stronger and heavier.”.
Markus’ goals aligned closely, with an emphasis on putting on the right weight to drive power. “Eat lots, put on the right weight and I think that will help with my skating, getting the extra power behind my pushes,” he said.
The draft day also brought other notable moves around the league. The Calgary Flames selected Joe Iginla in the third round with the 65th overall pick. His father, Jarome Iginla, began his Hall of Fame career in Calgary. The Flames had missed out on Jarome’s older son. Tij. who was drafted sixth overall by the Utah Mammoth in 2024—three picks before Calgary had its first selection.
In another decision that reshuffled draft capital, the St. Louis Blues acquired defensive defenseman Brandon Carlo from the Maple Leafs. The Blues gave up two third-round picks for the trade. It was also their second acquisition of the draft after acquiring Mason McTavish on the first day.
Carlo’s trade backstory dated to earlier this cycle: former Leafs GM Brad Treliving gave up Fraser Minten, a conditional first-round pick (expected to be in 2028) and a fourth-rounder to land Carlo in March 2025.
The draft weekend also included a separate trade involving the Nashville Predators. The Predators acquired 6-foor-7 Adam Edstrom from the Rangers for Massimo Rizzo and a fifth-round pick.
What ties these moves together isn’t just draft strategy—it’s the way teams are trying to control uncertainty. For the Ruck twins, the Penguins turned that uncertainty into a rare, immediate reunion. For everyone else watching the board shift. the names called now become the blueprint for what the next seasons will look like—on and off the ice.
Pittsburgh Penguins NHL Draft 2026 Ruck twins Liam Ruck Markus Ruck Kyle Dubas Medicine Hat North Dakota Calgary Flames Joe Iginla St. Louis Blues Brandon Carlo Maple Leafs Nashville Predators Adam Edstrom