PITTSBURGH SELECTS LIAM RUCK IN FIRST ROUND OF 2026 DRAFT

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – Rumor and conjecture were swirling like Hempfield tornado in the days leading up to the 2026 NHL Entry Draft that Pittsburgh Penguins General Manager Kyle Dubas was eyeing a move that would propel his team up the draft order. As the gusts stalled on draft night, Dubas and the Penguins ultimately stood pat with the 22nd overall selection.

With that pick, the Penguins bolstered their pipeline on the wing by taking one half of the WHL’s most dynamic duo: Liam Ruck.

22ND OVERALL – LIAM RUCK (RW)

Ruck is a playmaker and puck finisher who loves to play the game with pace. Once established in the offensive zone, he likes to stay in perpetual motion. He utilizes quick, one-touch passes to keep the offense flowing. Ruck is also very stealthy without the puck, as he knows how navigate into soft areas undetected and put himself in position for a grade-A look.

When he finds himself open, Ruck can pick corners with his accurate wrist shot, but he doesn’t need a ton of space to score. He also pots greasy goals with tips and rebounds.

While far from physically imposing, Ruck demonstrates the guts and determination that will translate to any level, especially as he matures and adds muscle to his six-foot frame.

Ruck finished this season second in the WHL with 45 goals and 104 points. It would be malpractice not to mention the player he finished behind for the league-lead in points, because that would be his Medicine Hat teammate and twin brother, Markus Ruck. Markus didn’t have the same pre-season draft hype as Liam, but after collecting 87 assists and 108 points to top the entire WHL, Markus made his own impression on evaluators.

Pittsburgh’s next pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft is 39th overall. It’s a obvious storyline to track whether or not Markus will make it to that spot for the Penguins to take both Ruck twins.

Liam (and Markus) is committed to join the University of North Dakota.

Pittsburgh is *currently* positioned to make four picks on day two of the draft, slated to go to the proverbial podium twice in the second round (39th and 54th overall) as well as once in third (86th overall) and sixth rounds (170th). “Currently” is the operative word, though, as trades and pick swaps are always in play.

We’ll have a full recap of Pittsburgh’s day two draft maneuvers here tomorrow!