On June 26, 2026, the Pittsburgh Penguins drafted Liam Ruck 22nd overall. His twin brother Markus had to wait overnight. For two brothers who have spent about four nights apart in their lives, it was a long night. The next morning Pittsburgh took Markus at No. 39 and kept them together.
The Rucks grew up in Osoyoos, B.C., and started skating at age two on the family's backyard rink. Their idols were Henrik and Daniel Sedin. They wore Sedin shirts as kids and their mini-stick games left holes in the ceiling.
They are mirror twins, so many of their traits run opposite. Markus, older by eight minutes, is a left-shot playmaking centre. Liam is a right-shot sniper on the wing.
In Medicine Hat they spent two seasons behind Gavin McKenna. When McKenna left, they took over the league in 2025-26. Markus led the WHL with 108 points (87 assists) and Liam was second with 104 (45 goals). Coach Willie Desjardins, who also coached the Sedins, called them his two best defensive players.
They are the highest-drafted twins since the Sedins in 1999. Sidney Crosby called after the draft to welcome them. They will play one more season in Medicine Hat, then go to the University of North Dakota in 2027-28.
A crazy coincidence that many people may not know is that the twins are repeating their dad's story. Derek Ruck grew up in line mates with his best friend, former NHLer Chuck Kobasew. The two were line mates all through minor hockey, and Derek's father helped coach them. Derek was the passing centre and Chuck was the shooter on the wing. They were best men at each other's weddings, and Kobasew's last NHL stop was Pittsburgh, in 2013-14. After Crosby made his welcome call, a text from Kobasew was waiting for him.
Their game runs on timing. Markus finds the seam and Liam has to arrive at that exact moment, about 20 minutes a night. So it makes sense that both twins skate on the Bladetech Hockey Black Diamond DLC blades, and both love them.
The blades suit the way they play. The Flex Force design flexes into the holder and springs back on the push-off, which helps with the quick first steps Liam needs to get to the slot. The DLC coating keeps their edges consistent through a long WHL season of bus trips and back-to-back games. For two players who rely on doing the same thing at the same moment, having blades that feel the same every night matters. Click here to buy the blades!
The twins have done everything side by side, from the backyard rink in Osoyoos to the same draft class in Buffalo. That includes wearing the same blades. Next season it will be Medicine Hat, then North Dakota, and if things go to plan, Pittsburgh.