Liam Ruck, who is a right-shot forward that stands 5-foot-11, 175 pounds, is an all-around strong forward who could be a solid prospect to add to any prospect pool. For the Washington Capitals, he could be somebody they add to their depth, and stay patient with as he continues to dominate at the junior level.
Last season with the Medicine Hat Tigers in the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ruck scored 45 goals and added 59 assists for 104 points. He was tied for first on his team for goals, and was second, behind his brother Markus, in points. Markus and Liam were also first and second in the entire WHL in points, while Liam trailed only Cameron Schmidt in goals.
Liam is somebody that can be trusted with the puck on his stick in clutch moments, can create offensive opportunities for himself and his teammates, and has a solid IQ at both ends of the ice. He might be two seasons away from getting his first taste of NHL action, but with one or two more campaigns of fine-tuning where he can improve his two-way game, he should eventually be able to translate to the NHL level.
Depending on who you ask, Liam could slot in as high as a tenth-overall selection. However, the consensus from most scouts and pundits is that he will be a late first-round pick in the upcoming draft.
Alex Hutton, a writer with The Hockey Writers, wrote about Liam and stated, "Although not particularly flashy, he almost always makes the correct play, even while doing an excellent job at disguising his next move."
Karine Hains, a writer with The Hockey News, also wrote about Liam and stated: "[Ruck] has great offensive instincts and is admirably good without the puck, something that stands out for a player of that age. He’s got quick feet and finds a way to get free in the offensive zone and lose his coverage."
His incredible offensive awareness and ability to make quick plays make Liam an interesting target for the Capitals at 16th overall. His defensive game and willingness to jump into battles along the boards are the key areas for improvement for him, but the Capitals can afford to be patient, allowing Liam to take the time to improve those areas of his game.
Add us as a preferred source on Google