Liam Ruck one of four players named to inaugural WHL Prospect Game

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on December 11, 2025.

sports@medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews

Liam Ruck will get a second chance to showcase himself against some of the best prospects for the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.

The Medicine Hat Tigers forward was one of four WHLers named to two rosters for the inaugural WHL Prospects Game.

The showcase game, to be held in Vancouver on Feb. 18, will pit the highest touted NHL-Draft eligible prospects from the Eastern conference against those from the Western conference in a one-game showcase.

Alongside the younger Ruck twin, Team East will feature Prince Albert Raiders blue liner Daxon Rudolph.

Team West will have Vancouver Giants defenceman Ryan Lin and Spokane Chiefs forward Mathis Preston. Additional players for both rosters will be named in the lead-up to the event, featuring the top WHL talent eligible for the NHL Draft as identified by NHL Central Scouting and NHL clubs, along with other stars from across the WHL.

Alongside Liam and older twin brother Markus Ruck, the Tigers had seven other skaters named to NHL Central Scouting’s preliminary players to watch list. Forwards Yaroslav Bryzgalov, Kadon McCann, Kade Stengrim, defenceman Riley Steen and Kyle Heger and goaltenders Carter Casey and Jordan Switzer were also named.

The WHL Prospects Game will serve as the first all-WHL event of its kind since Jan. 19, 2000, when Kelowna hosted the 2000 WHL All-Star Game.

“We are excited to introduce the 2026 WHL Prospects Game and thrilled to host this brand-new event alongside the Vancouver Giants at the Langley Events Centre,” commented WHL Commissioner Dan Near. “The WHL remains the premier development league for hockey players in Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest, and we’re looking forward to showcasing the league’s elite NHL Draft-eligible talent in February.”

10
-9