Story perspectives

Penguins Draft Twins Ruck, Add Eight Prospects

6/28/2026

Summary

Penguins Draft Twins

The Penguins selected eight prospects at the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo, including twins Liam and Markus Ruck, the first twin pair taken by one team since 2008.
Liam Ruck posted 87 assists and 108 points for Medicine Hat and will play for North Dakota in 2027-28.
Pierce Mbuyi recorded 75 points in 68 OHL games, won Rookie of the Year and committed to Penn State for 2026-27.

Summary

Ruck Twins Drafted

GM Kyle Dubas said team will “hold and roll the dice” on Markus Ruck at No. 39 if he stays available.
Director Wes Clarke said the twins have offensive instincts and that building physical strength will be their primary focus.
The Ruck twins are the first brothers drafted by the same NHL franchise since the Sedins in 1999 and have pledged to play at the University of North Dakota in 2027-28.

Summary

Penguins Select Twins

The Pittsburgh Penguins drafted the Osoyoos twins in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft, brother pair selected by the same team since 2018.
The draft took place June 26-27, 2026 at the KeyBank Centre in Buffalo, New York.
Eight Medicine Hat Tigers were listed among the WHL’s top prospects in Central Scouting’s final rankings.
Pittsburgh obtained an additional fourth-round pick in the 2027 draft as part of the twin selections.

Summary

Knights Forfeit

The Vegas Golden Knights forfeited their 63rd-overall draft selection after a league sanction for media violations, prompting ex-coach John Tortorella to be fined $100,000.
Rogowski chose hockey over baseball, pleasing his father Casey and uncle Ryan, minor-league draftees.
Vancouver Canucks selected Caleb Malhotra third overall after his father was hired as head coach.
Joe Iginla, a third-round pick by Calgary, is the youngest son of Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla.

History

Historical Context

After the Vancouver Canucks traded up to pick the Sedin twins second and third overall in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft—a move that helped the franchise reach three Stanley Cup finals—teams have viewed twin selections as branding assets. Echoing that strategy, the Pittsburgh Penguins chose the Ruck twins in the 2026 draft, hoping similar chemistry and market appeal.

1 of 5

Penguins Draft Twins

The Penguins selected eight prospects at the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo, including twins Liam and Markus Ruck, the first twin pair taken by one team since 2008.
Liam Ruck posted 87 assists and 108 points for Medicine Hat and will play for North Dakota in 2027-28.
Pierce Mbuyi recorded 75 points in 68 OHL games, won Rookie of the Year and committed to Penn State for 2026-27.

1 / 5