Ronalds Ķēniņš made his debut for Mogo/RSU in the Optibet Hockey League (OHL), ReKurZeme.lv reported. The 35-year-old forward took his first shifts in Latvia’s top domestic competition after missing the entire 2025-2026 season and playing only nine matches the year prior.
How Ķēniņš Ended His Absence on the Ice
The veteran winger’s path back to competitive play involved months away from top-tier action following stints across Europe. Apollo.lv noted that Ķēniņš did not play an official game for Lausanne in the Swiss National League during the 2024-2025 campaign, though he made seven appearances for Sierre in the second tier and two matches for Finnish side HPK while briefly under contract with Bern. In his first OHL outing for Mogo/RSU, Ķēniņš won two of four faceoffs, blocked one shot, and delivered one body check while adjusting to the physical demands of the game. Before joining Lausanne, the Latvian forward spent several seasons with the Zihrich Lions, winning the national championship three times with the club. Ķēniņš also spent two seasons in North America, playing 38 games for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL) and recording 12 points (4+8). In November 2024, he joined Bern on a trial basis without playing a game for the team, while a loan stint with Hämeenlinnan HPK in Finland saw him pick up two points in two appearances. Bern terminated its contract with the Latvian player in January. Speaking on the Freibja podkāstā
podcast, Ķēniņš explained, It goes like a roller coaster,
adding, It’s cool to be back. Hockey was a little boring, now, thanks to Kaspars [Daugaviņš], who helped a lot to ‘put the head’ together a little bit.
He also mentioned that a move to Kyiv Capitals was considered last season but did not work out with the management, noting that Daugaviņš helped guide him back to reality. Reflecting on the locker room environment, Ķēniņš stated, The best thing is that locker room. That’s what I missed most.
Youth Movement Underpins Mogo/RSU Success
While the arrival of a former NHL and World Championship veteran generated headlines, Mogo/RSU head coach Ģirts Ankipāns emphasized the integration of teenage prospects as vital to the club’s structure. Sportacentrs.com reported that the reigning OHL champions have deployed five 16-year-old players born in 2010 this season, including goalscorers Markuss Megris and Pēteris Pogiņš. Ankipāns pointed out the generational gap within the roster, noting that when Ķēniņš made his senior international debut, some of his current teenage teammates were barely one year old. The big ones accept them very well,
Ankipāns said regarding the young additions, adding that Ķēniņš constantly talked with them.
Mogo/RSU Beats Liepāja in Physical Encounter
The physical encounter between Mogo/RSU and Liepāja produced 76 combined penalty minutes as both sides battled for control. Elviss Želubovskis opened the scoring for the hosts in the eighth minute before Kārlis Ozoliņš equalized for Liepāja later in the first period. Mogo/RSU secured the win with goals from Ričards Grīnbergs and Rūdolfs Polcs in the second period, followed by a third-period marker from Vladimirs Zaicevs. Goaltender Kārlis Mežsargs stopped 18 of 19 shots for the victors, while Liepāja netminder Mihals Valenta faced heavy pressure, turning away 42 of 46 attempts.
Mogo/RSU Sits Near Top of OHL Standings
Mogo/RSU holds 11 points through six matches, sitting near the top of the OHL standings as the regular season unfolds across a 32-game schedule. The team’s lone blemish so far came via a shootout defeat against Liepāja. Ankipāns’ squad prepares for a domestic rematch against Zemgale/LBTU at home, followed by an upcoming fixture in Vilnius as the Baltic championship race continues. Last year, Mogo/RSU captured its third OHL title by defeating Zemgale/LBTU 4-1 in the finals, with the top-finishing regular-season teams from Latvia and Lithuania recognized as their respective national champions.
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