Bryce Pickford was named the CHL Defenceman of the Year and Markus Ruck won the CHL Top Scorer Award on Monday (Image Credit: Canadian Hockey League)

By Jesse Gill

Sports

Pickford and Ruck win CHL Awards on Monday

Jun 15, 2026 | 7:58 PM

The Medicine Hat Tigers have a pair of players who have won Canadian Hockey League Awards on Monday.

Captain Bryce Pickford was named the CHL Defenceman of the Year after winning the WHL honours. He was also a finalist for the CHL Player of the Year award. Pickford had 83 points in 55 regular-season games. That included 45 goals and 38 assists. The 20-year-old Pickford led all CHL defencemen in goals, and was second in the CHL in points by a defenceman to only his defence partner Jonas Woo.

Pickford told a CHL media scrum after winning the award that it’s a huge honour.

“I think I don’t need to take all the credit. I think a lot of credit goes to my family, coaches,[and] teammates growing up. To get this award means the world to me,” Pickford said.

When asked about the list of names on the trophy of past winners, Pickford said it’s pretty crazy to think about.

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“I don’t think I’ve let that kind of set in, but yeah, I’m honoured,” Pickford said.

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READ: Bryce Pickford named WHL Player of the Year; first defenceman to win the award since 2009 (May 5, 2026)

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Forward Markus Ruck won the CHL Top Scorer Award. He was the top point producer in both the WHL and CHL during the 2025-26 regular season with 108 points in 68 games. That included 21 goals and 87 assists.

Pickford said it was awesome to see the Ruck twins there.

“Liam’s here too as [Marcus’] plus one. To see both of them again, it’s been a little bit, but to see their smile and hear their voice and just them laughing all the time, it means the world. And to see Marcus get recognized as the top scorer, that’s awesome,” Pickford said.

Ruck is one of several Tigers prospects eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft hosted June 26-27 in Buffalo.

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READ: Read twins lead eight Medicine Hat Tigers named to NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings (April 16, 2026)

by Jesse Gill

Pickford and Ruck win CHL Awards on Monday

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