NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
Medicine Hat Tigers forward Liam Ruck celebrates his first goal of the season with twin brother Markus Ruck in the first period of the Tigers' 4-2 win Sept. 21, 2024 at Co-op Place over the Edmonton Oil Kings.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
A year ago the Ruck twins were looking to just stick in the WHL, soak up the rookie experience and try to contribute on a stacked Medicine Hat Tigers team.
Entering their second season, with championship rings earned for their identical hands, they’re looking to run the show.
Markus and Liam Ruck come into their sophomore campaigns with vastly different roles in front of them, from fourth-line rookies to spots in the top six, to be relied upon for their offence. It’s a challenge Markus says is a privilege.
“There’s going to be a lot more pressure, but pressure is a privilege, so we’re going to take that, as we do, and hopefully it goes well,” Markus said.
The pair found success in their first WHL season. Liam led all WHL rookies in goal scoring with 25, adding 41 points in 61 games. He worked himself onto the Tigers’ top power play alongside Gavin McKenna, Oasiz Wiesblatt and Ryder Ritchie, adding another six goals and 10 points in 18 playoff games.
Markus had eight goals and 29 points in 62 games, with a goal and four points in 14 playoff games. Both won gold for Canada at the U17 World Challenge mid season and took bronze this summer at the Hlinka Gretzky. They both enjoyed the process of last season but want to step up this year to fill the roles left behind by departures.
“We’re just going to try to be as impactful as possible, my brother and I, that’s been our goal,’ Liam said. “Just make an impact, however we can out there and do whatever we can to help this team win.”
As excited as the products of Osoyoos, B.C. are for more responsibility, head coach Willie Desjardins is eager to see how the pair responds, getting the ice time and roles they wanted last season.
“They have to be excited by it, that’s what they want to do, they wanted to play more last year, now they get a chance, and now they have to prove it,” Desjardins said. “So it’s a great opportunity for them and we’re lucky, they’re really good. They have a really good character, all those guys. So I know they’ll do their part.”
Unsurprisingly, they both had similar answers for the ask of increased production and responsibility. Liam says he’ll just keep playing his game, not overcomplicating things.
“Just do what’s made us successful to this point and continue to do that,” Liam said. “Don’t give up a whole lot and just run with that.”
For Markus, it’s not cheating the game.
“Playing it the right way, the offence will come, especially with the team we have,” Markus said. “Play it the right way and we’re going to play offence.”
There will be some change to start the season as the Rucks usual running mate, Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll will likely miss opening night due to injury. The Salt Lake City, Utah product hasn’t practised since returning from winning gold with the United States at the Hlinka Gretzky. The Rucks finished the preseason alongside Gordon-Carroll’s golden teammate at those games, Noah Davidson.
“He’s a great player, he can find the back of the net,” Liam said. “If we get a chance to play with him, it’s going to be unbelievable.”
Without Gordon-Carroll, Markus has slid back into the middle and into the face-off dot, a role he manned when the Rucks were coming up through the Okanagan Hockey Academy program. He’s excited at the opportunity to get back in the middle and add value as a centre.
“For this year, it’s huge, a big draft year, and I think paying more attention to my D-zone, being a more reliable centre man, it’ll help me help the team a little more,” Markus said.
The two are entering their NHL Draft year, both listed on Elite Prospect’s preliminary draft rankings list as mid-round prospects. They’re focused on trying to get back to the promised land they reached last season.
“We want to win again, that’s our goal,” Liam said. “So whatever it takes all year to get us to that point is what we’re going to do, and I think we’ve got a group that’s ready to do that.”
They’ll get a new experience in their second seasons, with the Tigers’ B.C. road trip coming in October. Markus says family and friends have already planned out which games they will be attending on the six-game road trip, with his parents planning to attend all but the Prince George game, which would be nine hours from home.
Tigers announce 2025-26 opening night roster
The Medicine Hat Tigers have unveiled their roster to start the 2025-26 season.
The Tigers shared the initial 27-man roster with 15 forwards, nine defencemen and three goaltenders.
The final cuts from the roster were camp invite Dub Eunice III (2009-born forward) and 2008-born defenceman Koray Bozkaya.
A total of 12 rookies are a part of the roster and 14 return from the Tigers’ 2025 championship team. Forward Max Sullivan, acquired via trade on Tuesday, is the only WHL veteran not returning from last season.
The Tigers open their 56th season on Saturday when they host the Regina Pats at Co-op Place for a banner raising season opener.
