The first-year franchise known as the Fort Wayne Spacemen is well into its inaugural campaign, and is continuing to push forward in a Midwest East Division of the USPHL Premier where wins are always hard to come by.

The Spacemen have been able to build around Fort Wayne native Jared Fisher, who brought in prior USPHL Premier experience and has been the leading scorer for the entire 51-team league. He ended October with 20 goals and 22 assists for 42 points in just 14 games.

Fisher (‘00) was also named the USPHL Premier Midwest Region Player Of The Month for September and earned an Honorable Mention for the same honor in October.

The Spacemen hit the road and the airways throughout the summer to recruit their first team. There are players from as far afield as Minnesota, Kentucky and Maryland; from Smiths Falls, Ont., to Montreal, Que.; and from South Korea to Latvia and Russia.

“We have a young team and we put our development first,” said Head Coach Kaleigh Schrock. “Our kids have the opportunity to skate every day. We have a power skating coach (John Salway) and two goaltending coaches (Jerry Maust and Paris Duffis).”

Schrock brought in a heavy resume of pro hockey playing experience. He was a captain with the ECHL’s Fort Wayne Komets, and helped the Komets win two league championships during his years there.

Prior to his time in Fort Wayne, Schrock was a captain at Neumann University, where he helped lead that institution to an NCAA Division 3 title.

Assistant coach Josh Moles played at Culver Military Academy and NCAA hockey with Nichols College.

The Spacemen play out of the SportOne Parkview IceHouse in Fort Wayne, Ind., and have off-ice training at the Fieldhouse on the same campus. The Spacemen’s close relationship with the pro Komets team also provides player development benefits.

“We’re very fortunate to have Fort Wayne Komet players volunteer to help our kids develop on the ice as well,” said Schrock.