212 Points And Nobody In College Hockey Is Ready For It
Holy smokes, folks, you gotta hear about what just went down in the college hockey world! We're talking about a recruiting class that’s going to make waves, especially when you consider what UND just pulled off. They landed two absolute offensive dynamos, twin brothers Markus and Liam Ruck, and their numbers from last season? Insane. We’re talking a combined 212 points! You read that right. In just five days, UND went from having a gaping hole for high-end offensive difference-makers to securing arguably the most electrifying duo in junior hockey for their future.
The Ruck Twins Are Built Different, And They're Coming
Seriously, these guys are something else. Markus, a left-handed setup wizard, and Liam, a right-handed goal-scoring machine, absolutely tore it up for the Medicine Hat Tigers in the Western Hockey League. They were already part of a WHL championship squad in 2024-25, with Liam netting 41 points and Markus grabbing 29. But then 2025-26 happened, and they EXPLODED. Markus tallied 108 points, and Liam wasn't far behind with 104. That's top two scorers in ALL of Canadian major junior hockey! And get this, they just got better as the year rolled on. Liam had 15 points in his first 19 games, but then dropped 89 points in his last 49. Markus started with 15 points in 16 games, then went off for 93 points in his last 52. What a ramp-up!
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Markus even admitted he was "caught up in my own head with draft stuff" early on, but once he started having "fun with it all and enjoy the experience," the second half clicked. It’s that kind of mental game that separates the good from the great, right? These dudes grew up in Osoyoos, B.C., watching junior hockey, and now they're set to be the next big thing. They visited UND, Michigan State, Western Michigan, Maine, and Quinnipiac, but UND clearly blew them away. Liam said there were "no negatives at UND," praising the people and the city. Markus is already buzzing about the "great clips of the crowd at North Dakota," sounding like he can't wait to play in front of that energy. Sounds like the kind of passion we thrive on here in the Emerald City, doesn’t it?
UND's Coach Dane Jackson Just Played Chess, Not Checkers
It’s not just the Rucks, either. Last Thursday, UND also locked up Nolan Fitzhenry, who's ranked as the Herald's No. 1 2027 American recruit. Talk about a recruiting haul! UND head coach Dane Jackson isn't shy about it. He said his staff really looks for "character guys, 200-foot players," which is huge. But he also straight-up said, "we all know you need special offensive players to be able to make plays for you as well." He’s clearly hyped about bringing in guys with "good two-way ability and team-first mentality, but also have some God-given ability and special instincts to do the hardest thing, which is score." He knows they’ve got a lot of good players coming, but these additions are going to be "at the top of our lineup in the future." That’s high praise, and for a good reason!
So, what’s next for these phenoms? The Ruck twins actually decided to return to Medicine Hat for one more season. Liam explained, "For us, there's no rush. I think we're underdeveloped guys right now. We have to put some weight on." He’s smart, right? They know they've got a good team there for another year, and college will still be waiting. It’s all about getting stronger, preparing for that next level. College hockey is on notice for 2027, because when the Ruck twins finally hit the ice for UND, it’s going to be absolute fireworks. You just know it.
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.