From a town better known for its vineyards and lakefront sunsets than NHL pedigree, two brothers from Osoyoos, British Columbia, are quietly authoring one of the 2026 NHL Draft’s more compelling stories. And one that Vancouver Canucks fans may find familiar.

Markus and Liam Ruck, identical twins, lifelong linemates, and the top two scorers for the high-flying Medicine Hat Tigers, are climbing draft boards while putting their hometown on the hockey map. Raised in the heart of the South Okanagan, the duo’s journey from the small town rink to WHL stardom has been one of steady growth and tight-knit chemistry built by lining up together — with the exception of a few tournaments here and there — since the young age of four.

Growing up in a small town also meant a tight support system that never wavered.

“Small town feel — we enjoyed that growing up,” Liam told CanucksArmy. “With not many people there, they’re always supporting you. You kind of know everyone walking the grocery store, so it’s pretty cool. I like the small community. They’ve been so supportive of us.”

As they got older, that bond on the ice wasn’t guaranteed to last beyond the 2023 WHL Bantam Draft, where Liam was selected ninth overall by Medicine Hat. Markus, still available twelve picks later, waited anxiously with the rest of the family as uncertainty set in.

But the Tigers orchestrate a trade with the Seattle Thunderbirds to grab the 21st pick, keeping the brothers together and setting the stage for what’s become one of the most dynamic pairings in junior hockey.

“It was definitely stressful for the family in between the picks,” Markus admitted. “You never know what could happen, but we’re pretty thankful the Tigers were able to trade up and grab that pick.”

“Our agent did a great job for us, doing whatever he could to keep us together,” said Liam. “We’re thankful he did that for us. We didn’t have a backup plan at the time. We just trusted him — and we’re super thankful. We’ve become part of a great organization together, too.”

Since arriving in Medicine Hat, the two have continued to do what they’ve always done — play, train, and live together, even sharing the same billet family. The result has been one of the league’s most dynamic tandems, driven by both chemistry and competitiveness.

“We enjoy every bit together,” they said. “We both want what’s best for one another. I see him working hard; it motivates me. We love competing on the ice, whether it’s battle drills or scoring competitions. We never get sick of each other. We just love the grind.”

The Rucks’ junior tenure began taking shape under the guidance of Tigers Head Coach Willie Desjardins. At the tail end of the 2023-24 season, the former Vancouver Canucks bench boss brought the twins into the WHL environment early, giving them a valuable head start.

“He’s been unbelievable for us ever since we were young,” they said. “We came in at 15 just to be around the team. He spent a lot of time with us and talked with us a lot. He didn’t have to do that, but he believed in us. He pushes us hard. He’s always doing video with us whenever we want. He’s super supportive.”

That early exposure helped lay the foundation for a confident rookie campaign in 2024–25. By the time the season rolled around, the brothers were not only comfortable in the room but were ready to contribute. Insulated behind a deep forward core that included 2026 projected first-overall pick Gavin McKenna, the twins carved out meaningful roles and made their mark. With a well-balanced roster, the Tigers would enjoy an incredible run en route to a WHL Championship, and one win short of hoisting the Memorial Cup.

“We played in the biggest game in junior hockey,” said Liam. “Came up short. But seeing that whole experience — the best players in our age group — we tried to take the things they do and carry that into our game this year.”

Now, with top players like McKenna and Ryder Ritchie moved on from the organization, the spotlight has shifted to the twins. As of today, Liam and Markus rank first and second in team scoring, with 69 and 68 points, respectively. Those numbers also currently rank in the top five across the Western League.

“We were stuck behind some pretty talented players in the lineup last year,” said Liam. “Getting the opportunity this year, I think we’ve just continued to do what we do best, and we’ve had fun with it.”

Beyond those who follow the Western League, the draft community has begun to take note.

Fueled by an explosive season, the twins are now climbing the polls among various draft pundits as legitimate NHL prospects. Their distinct styles, upward trajectory and unique blend as a packaged combo only strengthen their case.

Markus, the cerebral centre, blends high-end hockey sense with two-way awareness and poise, often described by scouts as a projectable middle-six NHLer with strong playmaking tendencies.

Liam, meanwhile, is a relentless winger who thrives on forechecking and scoring in high-danger areas. He’s the type of player who drives a line through sheer work ethic.

Both recently represented Team Canada at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup over the summer. In that tournament, many scouts came away impressed by their abilities, giving their draft-eligible season a strong head start. That included Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff Prospect Analyst, who was left seemingly impressed by each brother’s performance:

On Markus: “I loved Ruck as a playmaker. Markus chased after opponents and often got the puck where it needed to be. He’s a smart, hard worker who can fill a lot of roles in a lineup.”

On Liam: “Ruck was one of Canada’s best wingers this week… I love his work ethic, his defensive zone play and how mobile he is on the penalty kill. Ruck is the type of player you can pair with a shooter and make magic happen.”

They’ve grown up side by side, but Markus and Liam Ruck are far from identical on the ice. With different positions, opposite shooting hands, and contrasting strengths, they complement each other in a way that makes their partnership thrive.

Heck, they even pull inspiration from different NHL archetypes.

Markus, a natural centre, models his game after Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov: “He’s a really smart player, really good with the puck. Not the quickest guy, but a lot of his other assets are really good, and that makes up for skating not being at the highest level.”

Liam, considered the finisher of the pair, sees shades of Sam Reinhart in his own game: “He’s fun to watch. Good with the puck, good without it. He’s good at positioning, and I try to model my game in a similar way.”

While each can manage just fine on their own, their connection on the ice is hard to miss: “I think it works perfectly hand in hand,” said Markus. “He’s got a pretty good nose for the net, so if I can find him, he can usually finish. We both have really good vision. It’s not always me passing to him, but that seems to be the main way it works.”

With Calgary Flames prospect Andrew Basha rounding out their line, the trio has become one of the WHL’s most dynamic and a major reason the team is enjoying success for yet another season.

Playing in the spotlight of a draft year isn’t just a physical grind; it can also bring mental strain. Between the pressure to perform, the endless draft chatter, and the feeling that every shift is under a microscope, it can wear on even the most confident player. But instead of letting that pressure build, Liam and Markus Ruck got proactive.

“It was a little bit much early on,” they admitted. “We were lucky enough to talk to a mental coach a couple of months into the year. Ever since, we just haven’t been thinking about [the draft] at all — just having fun out there.”

That mindset has served them well. Both brothers are now ranked in the top 32 among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting — Liam at 26, Markus at 31 — and have become legitimate fixtures in first- or second-round conversations among draft circles. And as the spotlight grows, so does the speculation – especially back home.

In British Columbia, the Rucks are quickly becoming a local story. And with the Vancouver Canucks currently holding four picks in the top two rounds, fans are beginning to wonder: could a pair of twins from Osoyoos be the next set to don a Canucks sweater?

Growing up in Osoyoos, the Canucks were the natural go-to team. “Our room was painted Canucks colours,” Liam laughed. “Yeah, we were fans for sure.”

It’s been six seasons since the Canucks fanbase last watched Henrik and Daniel Sedin suit up at Rogers Arena. The Rucks, just 17, were too young to experience their prime, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t take notice.

“They’re Hall of Famers,” said Liam. “We like to watch their highlights once in a while. It’s pretty cool to see what they did.”

So what would it mean to be drafted by the Canucks?

“That’d be pretty cool,” said Markus. “Closest team to our home, so that’d be pretty special. Yeah, wherever we end up, hopefully we get drafted. That’d be a dream come true.”

And just maybe, it’ll be the Rucks that younger B.C. kids are watching on highlight reels.