MEDICINE HAT, AB – Yesterday was the WHL prospects draft, and The Tigers made two picks that stood out.
Twins Liam and Markus Ruck were selected ninth and 21st overall.
From Osoyoos BC, the brothers have a wealth of experience on the ice together.
The twins both played in the U15 Okangan Hockey Academy (OHA).
Liam Ruck led the league with 90 points, 53 of those goals in only 27 games. Markus placed second in the league racking up 87 points.
The two have been playing hockey almost their whole lives.
“We’ve been playing since we were about three or four. Our dad went out public skating with us and just loved it ever since,” Markus says.
A long gap between the ninth and 21st pick offered a stressful time for the family, as they waited to see where Markus would place.
“It was honestly pretty stressful in between, but once we both got there it was really good,” says Liam.
Markus added, “yeah, once I figured out that Medicine Hat traded for the 21st pick it was super exciting. I was going to be playing with my brother.”
Director of player personnel with Tigers Hockey Bobby Fox was not short of kind words about the brothers.
“Oh this is exciting for the Medicine Hat Tigers, you can’t have one brother without the other. They’re both unbelievable players. Markus, like you said, his vision, his skill, their chemistry is second to none,” announces Fox.
In the excitement of the moment, the Rucks didn’t hear what was being said about them, because they were too focused on celebrating with their family.
Markus says, “honestly I didn’t even hear them talk about us cause our family was up on our feet giving hugs and crying, so I didn’t hear much, but it’s an honour obviously.”
Head coach Willie Desjardins said the Tigers are excited to welcome the twins to the team.
“Twins are super competitive, and they’ll go after each other for sure. We’re excited about both of them though, its not that we’re more excited about one than the other, we’re equally excited with both of them,” says Desjardins.
The brothers have been compared to the Sedin twins of the NHL by both the Tigers head coach, and the announcers of the WHL draft. Liam being the goal scorer, and Markus leading the OHA with assists to his brother.
“I just feel like its fun playing with him, I just know where he’s gonna be always so it makes it easier on me,” states Markus.
A dynamic that is hard to miss when watching highlights from their OHL days.
Going forward, the twins are focused on the small wins along the way, to achieve their big dreams.
“I wanna do whatever it takes to win, I wanna win a championship with them and hopefully go onto the memorial cup,” says Markus.
The entirety of the Tigers draft picks are listed below.
Tigers Picks
Liam Ruck, Okanagan Hockey Academy – Round 1, 9th overall
Markus Ruck, Okanagan Hockey Academy – Round 1, 21st overall
Koray Bozkaya, Yale Academy – Round 3, 53rd overall
Brayden Ryan-MacKay, Yale Academy – Round 6, 119th overall
Riley Steen, OHA Okanagan – Round 6, 127th overall
Sutton Verot, Regina Pat Blue – Round 7, 141st overall
Avery Watson, KC Squires – Round 8, 159th overall
Liam Chartrand, Pilot Mound Academy – Round 9, 185th overall
Tafari Chingwaru, MLAC – Round 10, 207th overall
Matyas Fischer, LA Junior Kings – Round 11, 229th overall
