‘Our dream came true’, Ruck twins reflect on NHL draft

“Being twins, you’re going to get a little extra attention, so we expected it and just had fun with it”, he added.

Outside of the story of former Medicine Hat Tigers star Gavin McKenna going first overall, where the Ruck twins would land and whether it would be together was the focus of the draft.

In their pre-draft interviews, the twins told NHL general managers they would prefer to be drafted to the same club.

“Any set of brothers would say they want to be drafted together”, said Markus.

Although they did say they could play apart, the twins made it known their preference was to play for the same franchise.

Liam would be the first to hear his name called as he was selected 22nd overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

“I was in shock a little bit,” Liam mentioned.

“It’s a moment you live for. It was special getting to walk up on that stage and obviously throughout the next couple picks I was hoping to hear Markus’ name go to Pittsburgh as well.”

Although the Penguins would eventually draft Markus, it wouldn’t be in the first round, leaving Markus to stew in his nerves overnight.

“It was a little bit tough, to be honest. After Liam got picked, trying to go to sleep that night, it was tough,” Markus admitted.

“I wanted to go to the same team as him, obviously, and I was just praying that Pittsburgh would do it. Liam said, ‘He thinks it’s gonna happen,’ so that was good”

For Liam, despite being drafted and achieving a lifelong dream, the celebration was tempered with Markus still on the board.

“It was a little bit of mixed emotions,” noted Liam.

“I got to celebrate with my family for an hour or so and then kinda let that celebration wait until the next day because our plan was to go to the same team before the draft happened, and that wasn’t complete”

The celebration wouldn’t have to wait long to reignite as the Pittsburgh Penguins would select Markus 39th overall, keeping the twins united and helping them achieve their lifelong dream.

“The relief for me, my family, and to be able to continue my journey next to Liam, it was just unbelievable,” said Markus.

“Our dream came true. It gave our family a bunch of tears, and everyone was so happy,” added Liam.

After all the nerves and emotions of being drafted had settled, it began to set in that they were both going to the Pittsburgh Penguins one thing – well, one player came to mind for both of them… Sidney Crosby.

“What he’s done for the game and the city of Pittsburgh is special, he’s the one that comes to mind when you think of that jersey,” stated Liam.

The twins would get the chance to talk to Sid the Kid as he surprised them with a phone call after Markus got picked.

“We were backstage, and one of the Pittsburgh staff said someone wants to call you and welcome you. I kinda peeked over and saw the name Crosby and thought I gotta keep it together here,” Markus beamed.

The Ruck twins were barely two years old when Sidney Crosby scored what many believe to be the most famous goal in hockey history, but both still grew up watching Crosby win multiple Stanley Cups.

“I don’t remember the golden goal, but I’ve watched it a lot,” Markus chuckled.

“My first memories of Crosby were him winning those cups in back-to-back years,” he added.

After the whirlwind of the draft, the Rucks were off to Pittsburgh for NHL development camp.

“It’s four days of mostly practices, workouts as well, some forums and nutrition stuff too,” explained Markus.

“The nutrition meetings were important for me and Liam, we need to put on weight – the right weight, and they help show you how to do it.”

Markus also added that Development Camp ended with a 3-on-3 tournament that his team wound up winning while Liam and his squad finished last.

The Ruck twins will remain in Pittsburgh training until later this week, before returning to BC, where they will split time between Osoyoos and Kelowna this summer ahead of what will be their final season in Medicine Hat.

by Will Bryant

‘Our dream came true’, Ruck twins reflect on NHL draft

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