PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Penguins drafted five players on Day 2 of the 2026 NHL Draft.
The team started with four selections throughout the day, the first of which came early in Round 2.
During Round 1 on Friday, the Penguins drafted forward Liam Ruck with the 22nd overall pick.
Here’s how Day 2 played out:
ROUND 2 - PICK 39
With the 39th overall pick (the 7th of Round 2), the Penguins drafted Markus Ruck, Liam’s identical twin brother.
The two are teammates in Medicine Hat and reportedly have only spent four days apart, so this selection grants the Ruck brothers’ wish -- the opportunity to keep playing together.
Our partners at PGHHockeyNow report that Markus had 108 points and 87 assists in 68 games, often feeding his brother’s goals.
The 18-year-old Osoyoos, British Columbia, native has recorded 17 points, including five goals and 12 assists, in 29 career WHL playoff games, and is a 2025 WHL Champion.
Markus stands at 6 feet tall and weighs 164 pounds. He has committed to the University of North Dakota for the 2027-28 season.
“This whole experience has been unbelievable,” Markus said, according to the Penguins. “To be picked to the same team as him (Liam), it’s crazy, and it’s super special. We are so thankful for the organization to do that, we just can’t wait to get started.”
The Penguins’ next pick was No. 54.
ROUND 2 - PICK 54
With their second pick in Round 2, the Pittsburgh Penguins selected Tomas Galvas, 20, a Czech left-handed defenseman.
The Zlin, Czechia, native has played parts of four seasons with Bílí Tygři Liberec and HC Olomouc. He’s skated in 113 career games and notched 42 points, including 13 goals and 29 assists.
Galvas stands at 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighs 168 pounds. He represented Czechia at the 2026 World Junior Championship, earning a silver medal and a spot on the World Junior Championship All-Star Team.
ROUND 3 - PICK 86
The Penguins took Pierce Mbuyi, another Canadian forward, with the team’s only selection in Round 3.
Mbuyi has played two OHL seasons with Owen Sound, PGHHockeyNow reports. In his rookie campaign, the dynamic LW had 29 goals and 53 points in 63 games. Last season, Mbuyi had 32 goals and 75 points in 68 games.
The 18-year-old Mississauga, Ontario, native was named 2025 OHL Rookie of the Year, also joining the OHL First All-Rookie Team and CHL All-Rookie Team. He stands at 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighs 163 pounds.
The Penguins were not expected to pick again until Round 6.
ROUND 4 - PICK 111
The Penguins’ last selection of the day was supposed to happen in Round 6, pick 170.
But the team traded up with the Boston Bruins, then took right-handed defenseman Parker Von Richter at No. 111.
The 20-year-old Mississauga, Ontario, native split the OHL season between the Brampton Steelheads and Barrie Colts. He notched 12 goals, 37 assists and 49 points in 66 games last season, along with 14 points in 21 playoff games for Barrie.
Von Richter stands at 6 feet, 1 inch tall and weighs 194 pounds. He has committed to the University of New Hampshire for the 2026-27 season.
The Penguins acquired the 111th overall pick from the Boston Bruins in exchange for the 170th overall pick and a 2027 fourth-round pick.
ROUND 5 - PICK 160
Just when it seemed like the Penguins were done at the 2026 NHL Draft, they made a trade to get right back into the mix.
The team traded a 2028 fifth-round pick to Nashville for the 160th pick of the 2026 draft.
With the newly acquired fifth-round pick, the Penguins selected goalie Matvei Nikonovich, who currently plays in the Russian junior league.
The 17-year-old spent the season with the MHL’s Ladia Togliatti. He went 20-14-4 in 38 games last season with a 1.96 goals-against average, .939 save percentage and two shutouts.
Nikonovich stands at 6 feet, 2 inches tall and weighs 187 pounds.
Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW