Penguins Draft Twins Markus and Liam Ruck in Historic NHL Selection

In a heartwarming twist at the NHL Draft, Markus Ruck, who was born just eight minutes after his twin brother Liam, celebrated being selected 39th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins. This moment was particularly special for the Ruck family, as Liam had been chosen the day before at 22nd overall, making them a unique pair in the league’s history.

“He can brag to me all he wants. I’m just so happy to be with him,” Markus said, reflecting on the bond he shares with Liam. “To be with him, it’s so special.” The twins hail from Osoyoos, British Columbia, and have made a name for themselves over the past two seasons playing together in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Medicine Hat Tigers. Last season, Markus led the WHL with an impressive 108 points, while Liam closely followed with 104 points, showcasing their formidable chemistry on the ice.

As the Penguins made their selection of Liam, Markus eagerly anticipated his turn. “I didn’t have a preference of when, I just knew where I wanted to go and who I wanted to be with,” he explained. He credited his brother for keeping him grounded during the anxious hours leading up to the draft. “He kept me calm and told me it was going to happen. So for it to happen, it’s awesome.” According to the NHL, this marks the fifth instance of twin brothers being selected by the same team in the draft, a notable feat that includes Hall of Famers Daniel and Henrik Sedin.

The draft was not only a family affair for the Rucks but also for other players. Caleb Malhotra was picked third by the Vancouver Canucks, where his father recently assumed the head coach position. Additionally, the Calgary Flames opened the third round by selecting Joe Iginla, son of the legendary Jarome Iginla, further emphasizing the familial connections present in this year’s draft.

Brooks Rogowski, who had previously contemplated choosing baseball over hockey, found his moment of relief when NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly announced his selection at No. 33 by Vancouver. “The relief was immediate. You hear your name called and all the stresses just kind of fall off you,” Rogowski shared. At 6-foot-7 and 235 pounds, Rogowski had made the decision to focus on hockey after being drafted by the OHL’s Oshawa Generals, a choice that has already begun to pay off.

With a rookie season tallying 11 goals and 23 points in 66 games, Rogowski improved significantly last season, amassing 42 points in 46 games. “I have a lot more to improve,” he acknowledged, noting his relative newness to the sport compared to others who have dedicated years to hockey. “I think there’s a lot more to me that needs to come out.”

As the draft progressed, it was highlighted by a variety of selections, including Simas Ignatavicius, chosen by the Florida Panthers at No. 40. Ignatavicius, born in Memphis but raised in Lithuania, developed his passion for hockey at a young age while watching practices in a shopping mall rink. After moving to Switzerland six years ago, he has honed his skills in a country known for its strong hockey tradition.

Notable selections also included Doman Szongoth at No. 156 to Buffalo, becoming the fourth Hungarian player drafted in NHL history, and six Czech goalies, with Tobias Trejbal leading the way at No. 42 to Calgary. The draft also saw teams complete 20 trades, highlighted by St. Louis acquiring defenseman Brandon Carlo from Toronto for picks No. 73 and 76, adding further intrigue to an already eventful day.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.