All articles tagged with #liam ruck
The Pittsburgh Penguins lost 7-4 to the Detroit Red Wings in their second preseason game at PPG Paints Arena on September 22, 2026. Despite featuring stars like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, the Penguins struggled against a Red Wings squad led by young prospects. Detroit's Michael Brandsegg-Nygard scored twice, while the Penguins' defense and goaltending were overwhelmed in the third period.
Penguins’ 2026 development camp emphasized mid-rounders, free agents, and other faster-rising prospects over the usual top picks. The Ruck twins, Zam Plante, Brady Peddle, Charlie Tretheway and Ryan Miller drew noticeable attention in the 3v3 tournament, with Liam showing offensive urgency, Markus flashing playmaking instincts, Plante displaying creativity and finishing, Trethewey and Miller delivering speed and edge, and Peddle showcasing exceptional wheels. Coach Tom Kostopoulos praised overall skating and defensive detail gains across the group. With limited NHL contract slots, many standout performers may earn rookie camp invites; Will Horcoff was sidelined by shoulder surgery, and fellow first-rounder Bill Zonnon was given time to advance after Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s playoff run. The piece highlights under-the-radar talent that could shape the Penguins’ pipeline.
The Pittsburgh Penguins drafted six prospects at the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo—a mix of three forwards, two defensemen and one goalie—headlined by first-rounder Liam Ruck and his twin Markus, with Tomas Galvas, Pierce Mbuyi, Parker Von Richter and Matvei Nikonovich rounding out the class; the group will begin development at the Penguin Prospect Camp June 29–July 3 as they begin their NHL journeys under Kyle Dubas and Wes Clark.
Liam Ruck, 18, was drafted 22nd overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2026 NHL Draft and received a warm welcome call from GM Kyle Dubas; the Medicine Hat Tigers forward led rookies in goals and totaled 104 points in 68 WHL games, showcasing hockey IQ, playmaking and scoring ability as he embarks on development through college at North Dakota before turning pro; his twin Markus could join him on the Pens, and Liam plans to attend a Penguins prospect development camp to further enhance his explosiveness and off-ice work ethic.
The Pittsburgh Penguins used their first pick of the 2026 NHL draft to select forward Liam Ruck from the Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) at 22nd overall. Ruck is described as a high-motor, two-way right-shot winger with a quick-release shot and strong net-front instincts who can contribute on the penalty kill and potentially the power play, though his skating is below average. He’s committed to the University of North Dakota for the 2027-28 season. San Jose moved up to 21st before Pittsburgh’s pick, and there is speculation about keeping the Ruck twins together with Markus at later rounds.
The Pittsburgh Penguins selected forward Liam Ruck with the 22nd overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. The 18-year-old from Osoyoos, BC, posted 104 points (45 goals, 59 assists) in 68 WHL games for Medicine Hat in 2025-26, finishing second in the league in points and goals and adding 12 points in 14 playoff games; he earned WHL East First All-Star honors and led WHL rookies with 25 goals in 2024-25. Ruck is slated to return to Medicine Hat for 2026-27 and is committed to the University of North Dakota for 2027.
The Pittsburgh Penguins stayed at 22 and drafted Liam Ruck, a high-scoring right wing from the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers who posted 45 goals and 104 points in 68 regular-season games (plus eight goals in 14 playoff games). At 6'0