After using the 22nd overall pick on Medicine Hat Tigers forward Liam Ruck, the Pittsburgh Penguins could still bring his twin brother Markus aboard with the 39th overall selection in Saturday’s second round.
The NHL Draft room was busy on Friday night, but the quiet storyline might be the one that keeps turning in Pittsburgh.
The Pittsburgh Penguins used their first-round pick, 22nd overall, to select Medicine Hat Tigers forward Liam Ruck. What makes it more than a smart pick on paper is the possibility that the Penguins can pull off something rare: drafting both Ruck twins in the same weekend.
On Saturday, Pittsburgh holds the No. 39-overall pick in the second round, a spot that would likely land in the range where Markus Ruck — also a forward for the Tigers — is expected to be available. The brothers told NHL teams during interviews that they wanted to end up on the same team.
Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas didn’t hide the appeal of that scenario when asked if Pittsburgh could take Markus next. “I think at the combine they said they’d spent four nights apart total in their whole lives. So, I think that would make sense, if that’s the way that the board falls tomorrow,” Dubas told reporters.
That dream isn’t just coming from a feel-good narrative. Markus Ruck has been performing at a level that stands out on the ice this season, leading the WHL in scoring. Liam Ruck isn’t far behind, finishing second.
The Rucks also carry a familiar hockey inspiration. The brothers from Osoyoos, B.C. have long idolized the Sedin twins. Vancouver picked Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin with the second and third selections, respectively, in the 1999 NHL Draft.
There’s another connection that makes this all feel neatly tied. Tigers coach Willie Dejsardins has been connected to both twin pairings: he coached the Canucks during his time as Vancouver’s bench boss.
The Winnipeg-to-Pittsburgh style leap is already underway for Liam. Medicine Hat selected him ninth overall and Markus 21st in the 2023 WHL Draft.
Now, the question for Pittsburgh heading into Saturday’s second round is simple and emotional at the same time: will the board fall in a way that keeps the twins together — for nights apart, and on a roster, at least for as long as the game allows?
Pittsburgh Penguins NHL Draft Liam Ruck Markus Ruck Medicine Hat Tigers WHL Kyle Dubas twin brothers WHL scoring race Osoyoos Sedin twins
Wild if they draft both, but isn’t Markus like… always behind in hype lol.
So they picked Liam first and now they’re hoping for Markus at 39? That seems like fan fiction but I guess if both brothers want it then why not.
I don’t get it, isn’t Markus supposed to be the twin brother who already got picked? Like they drafted him before right? Also scoring leader WHL means nothing if they can’t skate fast in the NHL.
This Willie Dejsardins connection is interesting I guess but I’m still like… Pittsburgh needs defense way more than twins. The Sedins comparison is cool though, and if they idolized them then maybe it turns into magic? Idk, just feels like the GM is chasing a story.