Penguins Select Ruck Twins in NHL Draft, Keeping Siblings United

The Pittsburgh Penguins made headlines at the 2026 NHL Draft by keeping the Ruck twins together, a move that delighted fans and family alike. On Friday, June 26, the Penguins selected Liam Ruck with the 22nd overall pick in the first round. This decision set the stage for their second-round selection on Saturday, where they picked his twin brother Markus with the 39th overall pick.

General manager Kyle Dubas expressed confidence in the decision, stating, “That would make sense if that’s the way the board falls.” The bond between the Ruck brothers is evident, as Liam noted that the longest they have been apart is just four days. “We’re obviously pretty close brothers,” Liam shared. “We go through everything together; I hope his name is called soon because he deserves it.” Less than 24 hours later, that wish came true for Markus.

The Ruck twins have been standout players for Medicine Hat in the Western Hockey League, with Markus recording 108 points and Liam 104 points last season. Their impressive performance helped fill the void left by Gavin McKenna, who was selected first overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs and subsequently left for Penn State. Kyle Woodlief of Red Line Report praised Markus for his “outstanding passing touch and playmaking skills” and noted his excellent vision. Meanwhile, Liam has shown a penchant for high-pressure situations, thriving as the team’s go-to player.

Looking ahead, both twins have committed to play for North Dakota in 2027, but Liam is focused on improving his game. “I want to be more explosive with my skating,” he said. “I think that’s going to come with strength. I need to get stronger and heavier.” The Ruck brothers’ journey is just beginning, and their future looks bright.

In other draft news, the Calgary Flames made a notable selection in the third round, picking Joe Iginla with the 65th overall pick. This choice is particularly significant as it links back to his father, who began a Hall of Fame career in Calgary. The Flames had previously missed out on Jarome’s older son, Tij, who was drafted sixth overall by the Utah Mammoth in 2024, just three picks before Calgary’s first selection.

The St. Louis Blues also made a move, trading two third-round picks for a defensive defenseman, marking their second acquisition of the draft after landing Mason McTavish on the first day. Meanwhile, former Leafs GM Brad Treliving’s strategy involved trading Fraser Minten, a conditional first-round pick expected to be in 2028, and a fourth-rounder to secure Carlo back in March 2025.

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