Liam Ruck

Liam Ruck (born February 21, 2008) is a Canadian ice hockey player who is a right winger for the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League (WHL). He is the identical twin brother of Markus Ruck.

Playing career Ruck and his twin brother were members of the Okanagan Hockey Academy in Penticton. With the U15 team, he scored 13 goals and 21 assists in 29 games during the 2021–22 season. He then posted 53 goals and 37 assists during the 2022–23 season, followed by 25 goals and 28 assists in 2023–24. His brother was selected by the Tigers with the 21st pick of the first round. For the 2025–26 season, they were the two leading scorers in the WHL. Appearing in 68 games, Liam totaled 45 goals and 59 assists for a total of 104 points, while his brother led the league with 108 points. They were both named first-team WHL Eastern Conference all-stars and were invited to the WHL Prospects Game, where they served as alternate captains.

Ruck and his brother were considered top prospects for the 2026 NHL entry draft. They were both selected in the draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins: Liam in the first round, with the 22th pick, and Markus in the second round, with the 39th pick.

Both brothers announced their commitment to play for the University of North Dakota beginning in the 2027–28 season on June 22, 2026.

International play Ruck and his brother both competed for Canada at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics. Later that year, the two both played at the 2024 World U-17 Hockey Challenge and helped their team to the gold medal. Their father, Derek, also played in the WHL. The brothers grew up in Osoyoos. At two years old, they began skating, and they also played baseball and soccer growing up. Since childhood, they have been best friends with Anaheim Ducks prospect Mathis Preston, who was drafted shortly after the twins.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2023–24 Medicine Hat Tigers WHL 3 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 2024–25 Medicine Hat Tigers WHL 61 25 16 41 6 18 6 4 10 8 2025–26 Medicine Hat Tigers WHL 68 45 59 104 36 14 8 4 12 6WHL totals 132 71 76 147 42 33 14 8 22 14