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FN Draft Profiles: Liam Ruck’s hockey IQ could help a young Flames team
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Photo credit: Medicine Hat Tigers
Paige Humphrey
Apr 19, 2026, 12:00 EDTUpdated: Apr 19, 2026, 00:51 EDT
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Liam Ruck is projected to be drafted in the late first-round or early second-round in the 2026 NHL Draft. Ruck is a right-handed forward with a remarkable hockey IQ. The Calgary Flames are always in search of one thing: a right shooting forward. But let’s look at what else Ruck could bring to the Flames if he is drafted to them. Markus is also projected to be drafted in the early second round of the draft.
Liam was born and raised in Osoyoos, British Columbia, alongside his twin brother Markus. Liam and Markus have played together for most of their lives, including both being drafted to the Medicine Hat Tigers in the 2023 WHL Draft. Liam was drafted ninth overall, to the Tigers, followed by Markus 12 spots later. 

Scouting report

Both Ruck brothers help their father, Derek Ruck run a summer hockey camp, the Osoyoos Hockey Camp, in Osoyoos annually to help young players get in the game or hone in their skills. This showcases Liam’s innate ability to lead a team and assist whenever he is needed. 
Ruck has been an asset to the Tigers after the team lost Gavin McKenna and other valuable players, says Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis. 
Medicine Hat lost a lot of offense with the departures of Gavin McKenna and Cayden Lindstrom, among others, but Ruck made up for it. He loves to shoot from anywhere and does an excellent job of getting the puck where it needs to be. He led all draft eligibles with 45 goals, and that’s good for seventh in the country. Ruck is extremely dangerous around the net with a variety of quality shot choices at his disposal. Many scouts think Ruck will be available in the top 20 – but snagging both twins would be the brightest thing any team could do at the draft.
He is a strong player both defensively and offensively, says Sportsnet and Pro Hockey Group’s Jason Bukala. 
Liam and his twin brother, Markus, are leading the way in Medicine Hat and battling each other for the league-wide scoring title (41G-56A). Liam has averaged 18:06 of ice time over the course of the season while being deployed in a variety of roles. He’s trustworthy defensively, tracks back to assist in his own zone on time, and is especially dangerous off the rush and on the power play from his strong side.
He’s going to eclipse the 100 points threshold, averages 5.5 shots on goal per game and engages in 13 puck battles. Ruck’s combination of energy and offensive impact leads to positive results for his group. 
Ruck has made a name for himself with an impressive track record during his time with the Tigers. This season, he has racked up a remarkable 45 goals and 59 assists in just 68 games, totalling 104 points. He also competed in the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in August, where Team Canada won bronze. Recently, both Liam and Markus have been nominated for the WHL’s Four Broncos Memorial Trophy, which is awarded to that league’s most valuable player.
Before being drafted to into the WHL in 2023, Ruck played on both the U15 and U18 Okanagan prep team, where he made a great impression in the hockey community with not only his dedication to the game, but also his positivity. He also had the opportunity to play for Team British Columbia in the 2023 WHL Cup, and was also part of the Cup’s All-Star team. 

What could he bring to the Flames?

As stated in the beginning, Ruck is a right-handed forward, which is in constant demand for the Flames and other teams in the league. This is due to the tactical advantages that they bring, such as face-off advantages, as well as the scarcity of these players. 
He also possesses unique skills such as a high hockey IQ, strong forecheck and exceptional playmaking skills, which will always be important assets to have with any team. His remarkable capability to read his teammates would be a massive gain for the team. With a team with a younger roster, having someone who will be able to know where their line-mate is and what they will do will help the other players continue to excel alongside himself.

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