A 104-point season answered the doubts about Ruck’s finishing. Pittsburgh selected him 22nd overall after he led the Medicine Hat Tigers with 45 goals and 59 assists and a plus-47 rating, more than doubling his output from the prior year once Gavin McKenna departed for the NCAA and the offense ran through him. Ruck is a north-south worker with a quick release who lives around the net and generates chances off a relentless forecheck. His shot is a genuine weapon from the slot, and his motor and reads project onto the penalty kill, with a path to net-front power-play work as he fills out. It is a straightforward, high-utility game, the kind Pittsburgh has targeted.

Liam was the first Ruck selected in the 2026 draft going 22nd overall to the Pittsburgh Penguins. They do have an early pick in the 2nd round where they are likely to select his twin brother. The Penguins have been focusing on players with a specific upside, so this should bode well for Ruck.

Ruck plays in the Western Hockey League for the Medicine Hat Tigers, with the departure of projected number one pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, Gavin McKenna, to the NCAA, Ruck will have an opportunity to become a leading contributor for the Tigers this season, he is off to a solid start to the 2025-26 campaign as he had produced six points (two goals and four assists) in seven games.

For fantasy managers, Ruck offers a multi-category middle-six profile: goals, shots, hits, and special-teams exposure across categories rather than one narrow source. He returns to Medicine Hat for 2026-27 as the clear focal point, and sustaining the goal-scoring rate against defenses keyed on him is the read that matters. He is a confident dynasty hold.

Ruck is known as a two-way forward with a high motor and strong offensive instincts; he excels around the net and generates scoring chances with his aggressive style of play, thanks to his strong forecheck and strong positioning. One of his greatest assets is his shot; he has a quick release and is a threat in the slot.

Projected as a reliable, steady middle-six NHL player contributing on the penalty kill, and could develop as an asset on the power play as a net-front presence. His combination of work ethic, offensive capability, and high IQ could make Ruck a multi-category fantasy contributor. Ruck could draw comparisons with various players, anywhere from Sam Steel to Troy Terry. Ruck’s landing spot in the 2026 NHL Draft will go a long way in determining his long-term potential. If he gets selected by a young rebuilding team, he will have more runway to develop into a middle-six contributor. If a Stanley Cup-contending team, year in and year out, calls his name next June, it may limit Ruck from reaching his full potential and only see him develop into a bottom-six role player.