As big names were traded, players who would have neatly fit into the Pittsburgh Penguins‘ DNA were taken off the board ahead of slot. The opportunities to trade up did not fit general manager Kyle Dubas’s budget, and despite a flurry of reports that the Penguins were active, they stood pat with the 22nd overall selection.
The Penguins didn’t take the full allotment of time when they selected Liam Ruck of the Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL. Interestingly, the top Penguins pick in each of the last five drafts has come from the WHL.
Ruck, 18, is a high-scoring winger with some of the best finishing ability in the draft. Last season, he played with first-overall pick Gavin McKenna, but this season, he took a greater role both in the offensive and defensive zones.
The right-shot winger filled the net with an impressive 45 goals and 104 points in 68 games. He also had eight goals in 14 playoff games.
In Medicine Hat, Ruck played with his twin brother Markus, who is projected to go early in the second round. Interestingly, the Penguins also have pick No. 39. According to the NHL broadcast and confirmed by Ruck, the brothers have not spent more than four days apart.
“We’re obviously pretty close brothers. We go through everything together,” Ruck said. “And because he deserves it, I get to compete with that guy every day. We’ve got a special bond, and if he’s taken by the Penguins or another organization, I’m proud of him. We’ll still be friends and stuff, but for me, just being selected by this team, it’s definitely a huge honor.”
The winger has adequate size (6-foot, 178 pounds) and projects on the right wing with a quick release and hard shot.
“I want to be a little more explosive with my skating. That’s a big one for me, and it’s going to come with strength,” Ruck said. “For me, the off-ice stuff is as important as the on-ice stuff right now. Get stronger, get heavier. The chance to work with the staff in Pittsburgh is going to be a good fit.”
Penguins amateur scout Dan McLean has been integral to the Penguins’ recent draft efforts. Ruck was the fifth straight top Penguins pick to come from the WHL, a streak beginning with Owen Pickering in 2022, continuing with Brayden Yager in 2023, Harrison Brunicke and Tanner Howe in 2024, and Ben Kindel in 2025.
McLean had a couple of contacts with Ruck through the year, and the player spent time with the entire Penguins staff at the NHL Scouting Combine in early June. At the Combine, the Penguins staff is known for showing players clips of their mistakes to get their reaction.
Ruck and his brother are slated to attend the University of North Dakota in 2027-28, but because Liam Ruck is a first-round pick, he would be eligible to play in the AHL in 2027-28, if he signs an entry-level contract.
Categorized:2026 NHL Draft Pittsburgh Penguins
