Topic: RHL Under the Scope: Sitting Down with a Spacer!

Darien Fenner

Date: 2011-11-12 16:30 EST
http://i738.photobucket.com/albums/xx21/dfenner_photo/girl-glasses-1.jpg Junior Columnist: Ashley Weatherl

RHL Under the Scope: Sitting Down with a Spacer! November 12, 2011

It's hockey season, and the ice is already heating up!

With two weeks already underway, the RHL (that's RhyDin Hockey League to you non-sporties!) has already seen some changes. With the shuffling of team members and coaches, and the doubtlessly chaotic practice and game schedules, it is no wonder that some people have trouble keeping up! Before the season's outset, however, the Post was fortunate enough to sit down with new Stars End Spacers head coach, Owen Koss, to make some sense out of it.

Post: Coach Koss! Thanks for meeting with us tonight. I see you and your team has already been hard at work warming up the rinks. For those who don't know, you are the new Stars End Spacers coach this year. Would you mind letting our readers get to know you a little better" Koss: Not at all. What would you like to know"

Post: For starters, can you tell the Post what brought you to the Spacers, or to RhyDin hockey in general"

Koss: Oh, sure. I played with the Bears for seven years, starting with the feeder team and moving up. When I decided it was time to let the younger guys have the ice, I moved onto the coaching staff in Ontario. Defensive coach. This was an opportunity to move into a head coaching position, for a new team that had enjoyed a very exciting first year. The Spacers have a lot of promise. I couldn't say no.

Post: You were offered the position while you were still on Earth"

Koss: I was. The General Manager is not from RhyDin, so when they started looking for a full-time coach, they didn't limit it. They sent feelers out through an agent, and we talked. It felt like a good fit.

Post: You mentioned that the Spacers have promise. Yet there is also the matter that many of the team members have been replaced this year. Can you tell us who"

Koss: We have London Demery and Russ Archer coming back from last year. The rest of the team is new to the Spacers, but not new to hockey, and they're a strong team. A really good team.

Post: What are your impressions about the team's strengths, now that you have been able to observe them in practice"

Koss: We're really lucky to have Demery and Archer still on board. They're both strong skaters with a lot of passion for the sport. Great, great wingmen. Dunn and Jamie Campbell on defense are really shaping up into a pair that are hard to beat. We have Owens on Center and you have to see her skate to appreciate the force she brings to the position - she plays rugby in the off-season. Hennessy Campbell is a freaking dynamo. And then we have our secret weapon.

Post: Your secret weapon"

Koss: We snagged a goalie with experience in the pros. Seamus Morvan. Not only is he a hard, experienced player, but he's been a great unifying presence on the team, pulling everyone together and keeping their eyes on the championship.

Post: How do you feel so far about the competition"

Koss: I'm confident. We aren't hearing a lot from them* yet, but I haven't been seeing the practice schedules from them that we've been putting in. Of course, with the expansion taking place so late this year, we're going to have a couple of wildcards in there, but the sport is full of surprises. All we're focused on is our own performance. As long as we stick to that, I think the Spacers fans are going to be really happy this season.

Post: This seems to be a very nice setup that you all have here. Who do we have to thank for the dome"

Koss: The aerodrome was built by the spaceport officials, I believe. We're lucky to call it our home ice. Our general manager has worked hard over the summer to solidify the relationship between the team and the facility, and by extension, the team's corporate sponsors. Of course, there are all sorts of events held here throughout the year. But in the season, we like to call it our turf. The nice thing about having that rapport with the facility management is that we've been able to work on some side projects to build interest in the team and bring revenue into the facility. Like the public skating clinics the Spacers are backing. And I have heard - though this isn't the official announcement - that there's some talk of pulling a youth team together, with clinics.

Post: From what we've heard so far, it seems like the Spacers have become more than just a minor league team. They're quite the phenomenon, even outside the spaceport. What do you think it is about the team that has everyone so interested"

Koss: They aren't shy about getting out there, you know" It's our job to work hard and do well on the ice for our fans and sponsors, but that's not our only job - and that directive comes from the top down. We're part of the RHL as a whole, and the RHL is here to support the community, the way the community's been supporting us. The vaccination drive this summer is a good example of that.

Post: And I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks the RHL is doing that job well. Now, as we are nearing the end of our interview, I must ask. Do you have any words or warnings for the opposing teams come this season"

Koss: Not really, other than to wish them well with their practices and seasons ....and to remind everyone of our motto.

Post: Which is"

Koss: We're bustin' ours so we can kick theirs.

Post: As I'm sure you have much busting to do, I think that just about wraps it up for us. Is there anything else you'd like to add"

Koss: No, just that I'm glad to be here. The neighbors are great, the fans are incredible. I'm really looking forward to showing you what we're made of on the ice this year.

Secret weapons and humble beginnings" Something tells me the other hockey teams should watch where they're skating this season!

RHL tickets are still available for purchase. Visit or send inquiries the Aerodome booking offices for further information.

*This interview took place the last week of October. The Spacers are currently ranking third in RHL standings.

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