By winning their third consecutive Latvian championship title and the fifth in club history, Mogo/RSU continue to leave an ever deeper mark in the history books of Latvian hockey. Five championship titles have also been won by Rīga 2000, while the combined achievements of the first and second teams of Liepājas Metalurgs amount to two more.
This season, following a successful campaign in the IIHF Continental Cup, Ģirts Ankipāns’ team experienced a certain decline in form. Nevertheless, when it mattered most, Mogo/RSU managed to secure first place in the OHL regular season and, a month later, lifted the Latvian championship trophy above their heads for the third year in a row.
Mogo/RSU president Māris Martinsons reflects on the difficult season and the club’s fifth championship title.
Some time has passed since Mogo/RSU won their fifth championship title. What emotions remain now?
It feels like we have accomplished something truly meaningful. At the same time, there is relief and joy. This season was like a roller coaster for us. It began with surprises, and the team did not perform as we had hoped. Together with the coaching staff, we analyzed the situation, and it seems we drew the right conclusions. Three championship titles in a row cannot be a coincidence. It is the result of united work by the coaches and the entire team. They have built an outstanding system that we are also trying to implement in youth hockey, and it is already producing results there as well.
This season certainly could not be called an easy one, could it?
No, definitely not. Throughout the season, injuries haunted us at the most inconvenient moments. Despite that, the coaches found solutions to keep the team afloat and, by the narrowest of margins, once again secure first place in the regular season. After that came one of the most competitive playoff tournaments of recent years.
No one seems to complain about getting used to victories and championship titles. Winning never gets boring, does it?
A victory is always a victory, but achieving it takes a lot out of you emotionally. The closer you get to the finish line, the greater the tension and anxiety. Winning your first title is easier than defending a championship. Let alone doing it for a third consecutive year.
This spring, Elviss Želubovskis once again wrote his name into Latvian hockey history books…
Yes, this season was special for the club because Elviss caught up with and surpassed Aigars Razgals to become the all-time leading scorer in the Latvian championship. Elviss is the soul of our team. It was thanks to him that the Mogo hockey club was founded. He is also a shining example for young players that even at the age of 40, you can still be among the league’s top scorers.
For the third spring in a row, Mogo/RSU have found that extra bit of skill to score decisive goals in overtime, shootouts, or the final seconds. What was decisive in winning the fifth title?
Hockey is not just skating and chasing the puck. It is an intelligent game. Coaching is an extremely important part of hockey — choosing tactics, motivating players, and, of course, the team’s ability to execute the plan. This year once again, all the stars aligned in the right places and we won the championship. But behind it all is hard and demanding work.
This was already the fourth consecutive season in which Mogo/RSU and Zemgale/LBTU met in the finals. It has also become a duel between the two head coaches — Ģirts Ankipāns versus Artis Ābols. Both played for Rīga 2000 and won Latvian championships together. I believe both Ģirts and Artis have contributed greatly to the development of Latvian hockey.
It seems Father Time is avoiding Krišjānis Rēdlihs, Gints Meija, and Kristaps Sotnieks. Do their performances still surprise you?
No, they do not surprise me. They are in our team because of their skill and attitude. These players are battle-tested and deliver exactly what is expected of them. Together, they have played in 26 World Championships and seven Olympic Games. Krišjānis is a living example for young players — being in such physical shape at his age is incredible. Gints shows that you must fight until the very end, while Kristaps is an excellent role model for all our young defensemen.
This autumn, Kaspars Daugaviņš wore the Mogo/RSU jersey in several games. How important was the Latvian national team captain’s presence?
Kaspars is and always will be a player with a capital “P.” His role in the team was invaluable. He is the type of player who can speak up, take control of the game, and score when needed. He was exactly what we lacked in the decisive games, especially in the Continental Cup final. I am very happy he played for our team, and I hope Kaspars will return to us again.
This time, the Finals MVP was 24-year-old defenseman Niks Feņenko, whose championship-winning goal with three seconds left in Game 5 will surely go down among the greatest moments in league history. Was his performance a surprise?
Niks is a very good defenseman. It was a coincidence that he ended up in our team. I am very satisfied with his performance. He has been invited to the Latvian national team and has already played several exhibition games. That is also a great honor for our club. I hope he will continue making headlines and that we will soon see him playing at an even higher level. That is what I wish for him.
It is no secret that Feņenko is looking toward stronger European leagues next season. Finland, Sweden, Czechia — where could his career continue?
I think Niks will head to North America. But if he receives an offer from Sweden or Finland, that would also be a very good challenge.
The names change, but the essence of Mogo/RSU’s winning formula remains the same — combining experience with youthful energy and ambition. Will this philosophy remain in the future?
We will decide on our exact strategy closer to the new season. I can only say that we are looking at a few young talents whom we would like to give a chance to test themselves in senior hockey. I also hope our experienced players will continue to prove that age is not an obstacle.
Their example is inspiring the younger generation — players like Olivers Mūrnieks, Martins Laviņš, Rihards Simanovičs, and Dans Ločmelis are becoming increasingly noticeable. And, of course, there are the MVP goaltenders of the previous two seasons — Linards Feldbergs and Nils Mauriņš.
This season, the Liepāja team returned to the OHL and Kyiv Capitals joined the league. Can we call this one of the most positive developments in recent Latvian club hockey history?
Absolutely. Liepāja and Kyiv made the championship much more interesting and competitive. Both clubs were among the top teams in the league and provided serious competition. A great example was the Continental Cup, where we reached the final. It proves the level of the OHL has improved. Hockey has become more exciting and entertaining for the fans.
I am slightly concerned about the economic situation in Latvia, but I hope hockey will survive and that more teams will join the league. I have heard discussions about Daugavpils, and hopefully Kurbads will eventually return. Perhaps we will also see a new club appear in neighboring countries.
Can Mogo/RSU fans already start hoping for a sixth championship title?
We always aim for the highest goals, and next season will be no exception. Once again, we will represent Latvia in the Continental Cup. Hopefully, we will reach the final again and surpass what we achieved in January.
Right now, however, it is time to recover from a successful but difficult season and follow the Latvian national team’s games in Switzerland. Then we will begin preparing for the next season. Titles and medals can never be guaranteed, but fans can and should continue supporting us.
And, of course, I want to wish the entire Latvian hockey family success and the fulfillment of all their goals.
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About Mogo/RSU
Mogo/RSU was founded in 2014 and quickly became one of the strongest and most decorated hockey clubs in Latvia. In its very first season, the club won the Latvian championship title, repeating the achievement in 2019, 2024, and 2025.
For three consecutive years, from 2015 to 2017, Mogo/LSPA won the Latvian Cup, defeating HK Kurbads in the final each time.
The founder and president of Mogo/RSU is Māris Martinsons, who also serves as a board member of the Latvian Ice Hockey Federation.
The club’s head coach is former Latvian national team player Ģirts Ankipāns.
Since the first day of the club’s existence, the general manager has been Elviss Želubovskis, who also continues to represent the team on the ice.
