Rucks excited for Team Canada opportunity at Youth Olympics
By JAMES TUBB on January 6, 2024.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb Markus and Liam Ruck have some time to brush up on their South Korean knowledge ahead of the Youth Olympics. The Medicine Hat Tigers prospect duo was selected to Canada’s men’s hockey roster for the Youth Winter Olympics to be held in Gangwon, South Korea from Jan. 19 to Feb. 1. Men’s hockey will take place Jan. 27-31, with games starting at 4 a.m. MST. Neither Liam nor Markus knows a lot about South Korea but both know they are looking forward to their first experiences representing Canada. “I’ve always looked forward to representing Canada, just watching the world juniors since I was a kid, it’s been amazing,” Markus said. It may not be the first national event kids dream about representing their country at, with the U20 World Juniors that just wrapped up usually taking the cake. But Liam says they are honoured and excited for the roads their selection can open. “That’s a good start for sure,” Liam said. “Hopefully have a good showing there and then they move on and move up the next year and the year after that.” Markus and Liam were skating with the Tigers this week after their club team, the U18 Okanagan Hockey Academy, lost in the B finals of the Circle K Classic. While in Medicine Hat, they have some Canadian representatives on the Tigers to pose questions to, with forwards Cayden Lindstrom, Tomas Mrsic and Gavin McKenna having all donned red and white in separate tournaments over the past year. “I talked to Mrsic about his U17 experience, he said it’s very cool,” Markus said. “He told us to enjoy the experience, it’s going to be a lot of fun meeting new teammates and opponents. So just take it all in.” Tigers associate coach Joe Frazer says they were happy to see the duo named to the team, and even he – an American product from Brainerd, Minn. – will be cheering on the red and white. “It’s an unbelievable opportunity to play at the Youth Olympics, we’re just thrilled for them,” Frazer said. “Any time you can represent your country it’s just one of those moments you will never forget the rest of your life. Both guys, every time we see him they look bigger and faster, so it’s exciting for next year. Both were part of Team B.C.’s roster at the WHL Cup, both suiting up in five games. Liam had seven goals and 11 points and Markus added two goals and 10 points. They’ve spent the majority of their season with the Okanagan Hockey Academy’s U18 team, sitting first and second in scoring. Markus leads the way with 10 goals and 37 points ahead of Liam’s 18 goals and 36 points. Liam has the bragging rights of first to get WHL points, notching a goal and an assist in his WHL debut on Nov. 22, an 8-0 win over the Regina Pats. Markus made his debut three nights later, in a 6-1 win over the Brandon Wheat Kings. Liam was also in the lineup for the Tigers on the road Friday taking on the Red Deer Rebels. The next appearance for either is unknown for now but both will be back in Medicine Hat as soon as they can. Until then, it’s about getting ready to represent Canada and get better for next season when they’re full-time Tigers. That’s been the biggest takeaway so far for Markus as a Tiger, the importance of each and every day. “At the start of this year, there’s times where you’re not working your hardest but you have to (do so) every practice,” Markus said. “You have to every drill, you have to be working your hardest. Also have to put on some size and some strength.” 19-18
