Pittsburgh Penguins select forward Liam Ruck as their first pick in the NHL Draft

RANKIN, Pa. — The Pittsburgh Penguins have selected forward Liam Ruck as the first pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.

Ruck, 18, was the 22nd overall pick in the draft.

He has played for the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League for parts of three seasons.

According to our partners at PGHHockeyNOW.com, Ruck is a Canadian native who is 6 feet tall and around 176 pounds.

Ruck is recognized as a high-scoring player, collecting 45 goals and 104 points in 68 games. He also had eight goals in 14 playoff games.

He is currently expected to play in the WHL for the 2026-27 season and is committed to the University of North Dakota for the fall of 2027.

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