Deivids Sarkanis of the Kyiv Capitals has been named the best player in the Baltic Hockey League for September, registering seven goals and 11 assists across six matches, lasi.lv reported. Sarkanis currently averages three points per game in the regional tournament. The 31-year-old forward previously played for Mogo/RSŪ, and now terrorizes opposing goaltenders on the Ukrainian team alongside Gatis Sprukts, who has recorded two goals and 11 assists for 13 points, and Kevins Strādnieks, who holds six goals and six assists.
Baltic Hockey League September Standings and Player Honors
The league recognized several top performers alongside Sarkanis for the opening month of play. Goaltender Kārlis Mežsargs of Mogo/RSŪ earned the second-star designation after stopping 94.17% of shots and allowing only six goals across five appearances. Kyiv Capitals defenseman Pavlo Svaro secured the third star with eight assists and a +12 rating.
In the league standings, three-time defending champion Mogo/RSŪ holds the top position with 11 points out of a possible 12. The Kyiv Capitals sit one point behind in second place through six games, with their sole loss coming in a 9-2 defeat against Mogo/RSŪ. Zemgale/LBTU recorded six points from three wins in three games, while Liepāja collected six points across six matches.
Milestones and Roster Additions for Mogo/RSŪ
The opening month brought notable milestones and roster additions for the Riga-based club. Elvis Želubovskis became the first player in Latvian hockey championship history to reach 600 career points. Former NHL player and Swiss champion Ronalds Ķēniņš returned to competitive hockey following a season-long pause.
Ķēniņš credited Kaspars Daugaviņš with helping facilitate his return to the sport. “Kaspars opened doors to reality for me, showed me where I need to be, not where I was,” Ķēniņš said regarding his renewed engagement with the game, adding that he has regained the appetite for hockey that had previously disappeared.