Markus Ruck
Canadian ice hockey player (born 2008)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Markus Ruck (born February 21, 2008) is a Canadian ice hockey forward for the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League (WHL). He is the identical twin brother of Liam Ruck.
| Markus Ruck | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Born |
February 21, 2008 Osoyoos, British Columbia, Canada | ||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) | ||
| Weight | 168 lb (76 kg; 12 st 0 lb) | ||
| Position | Forward | ||
| Shoots | Left | ||
| WHL team | Medicine Hat Tigers | ||
| NHL draft |
39th overall, 2026 Pittsburgh Penguins | ||
Playing career
Ruck, as well as his twin brother, were members of the Okanagan Hockey Academy in Penticton.[1] With the U15 team, he posted seven goals and 25 assists in 30 games during the 2021–22 season.[2] He then recorded 22 goals and 65 assists for a total of 87 points in 2022–23, followed by 18 goals and 44 assists for a total of 62 points in 2023–24.[2] Ruck was selected by the Medicine Hat Tigers in the first round, with the 21st overall pick, of the 2023 Western Hockey League (WHL) Prospects Draft.[3] His brother Liam had been selected by the Tigers with the ninth overall pick.[3]
Ruck appeared in two games for the Tigers during the 2023–24 season.[2] In 2024–25, he and his brother helped the team to a win at the WHL championship, as Markus recorded eight goals and 21 assists in 62 games.[2][3] After Gavin McKenna and Ryder Ritchie departed the Tigers, the Ruck twins saw expanded roles in 2025–26.[4] For the 2025–26 season, they were the two leading scorers in the WHL.[5] Appearing in 68 games, Markus posted 21 goals and 87 assists for a total of 108 points, leading the WHL in scoring and leading the entire Canadian Hockey League (CHL) in assists, while his brother finished second in the WHL with 104 points.[1][2][6] They were both named first-team WHL Eastern Conference all-stars and were invited to the WHL Prospects Game, where they served as alternate captains.[3][7]
Ruck and his brother are prospects for the 2026 NHL entry draft.[8] Both brothers announced their commitment to play for the University of North Dakota beginning in the 2027–28 season on June 22, 2026.[9]
International play
Ruck and his brother both competed for Canada at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics.[10] Later that year, the two both played at the 2024 World U-17 Hockey Challenge and helped their team to the gold medal.[10] Markus Ruck tallied two goals and two assists in five games at the tournament.[2] The brothers also competed at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and won a bronze medal, with Markus posting four assists in five games.[1][2]
Personal life
Ruck was born on February 21, 2008, in Osoyoos, British Columbia.[2] He and his brother Liam are identical mirror twins; according to The Athletic, "they do everything opposite. Markus is a left-handed shot who writes with his right hand. Liam is a right-handed shot who writes with his left hand. They bat, golf and throw a ball opposite."[1] Markus was born first, by eight minutes.[11] Their father, Derek, also played in the WHL.[1][12] The brothers grew up in Osoyoos.[1] At two years old, they began skating, and they also played baseball and soccer growing up.[1][11] Since childhood, they have been best friends with fellow 2026 NHL entry draft prospect Mathis Preston.[10]