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Unbreakable
By: Melissa Monette

Russ Moyer
Russ as a baby.

        A Best Friend: a pal, a sidekick, a buddy, a supporter, a defender, or a companion.

When someone asks you what you think a best friend is, most people would give you one of the words just listed.  To Ottawa 67's defenseman, Russ Moyer, his list of words would be a slightly altered.  Born in North Bay Ontario, like most children Russ always did everything with his friends.  Like most children, he hung out in a group of four or five people and they all did everything together.  But also like everyone else in that group there was one person that was, and still is, Russ' best friend.  Russ and Beau were inseparable as children.  The main difference between Russ and most other people is that Russ' best friend was not just his pal, his sidekick, his supporter, his defender and his companion, he was also his brother.  

        Born just seventeen months apart, Russ and Beau Moyer were often treated like twins by their parents, friends and other family.  The two boys loved the same thing growing up.  "Most siblings do not have that many similar interests.  Russ and Beau were never like that.  They have always had the same interests and equal abilities They played on the same team and have the same friends back in North Bay," Al Moyer, the boys father, commented, "I think thats what brought then so close together, the interests and friends." 
       Both boys play hockey, golf, watch Hockey Night in Canada together, and in the summer work together at their parents company in North Bay, Moyer Printing.  "Beau and I aren't really like brothers at all.  We've never fought and we've always just been best buddies rather then just brothers," said Russ of his brother and himself, "we were brought up more like twins then anything and always did everything together."

        As children, Russ and Beau went to school together.  Although Beau was one year ahead of Russ, it never bothered either of them.  Russ was friends with almost all the same people that Beau was.  "I was younger but I never felt like I was because we had the same group of friends in school and outside of school and we still do," Russ commented.  In Elementary School, both boys wanted to be hockey players.  They played hockey together for many years. 

Beau Moyer
Russ' Older Brother Beau Moyer.

Their very first team together was 'the Grey Team' in Tikes when Russ was six years old.  The Moyer boys even won the North Ontario Championships with their team in their last year playing together.  The boys played together until Russ was sixteen years old, only breaking from teams together for two years, and then came the time for one of them to move away to play the game they loved.  Russ left home at age sixteen to play Jr. B hockey and the next year come to Ottawa to play for the 67's.  At age seventeen, Beau left home to play Tier 2 Hockey in Orillia. 

        Even with miles upon miles between them, Russ and Beau still remain best friends.  The time they spent together was shortened and they now only talk on MSN Messanger three or four times a week, but the impact that both brothers had on each other is one that will always help them through their problems.  "Beau and I always pushed each other to be better and the best we can be.  We were very competitive and the only time I can remember fighting with him is over who slashed whom in hockey or who won the most basketball games that day." 

        Russ credits the boy's openness and ability to get along so well to his parents.  "Our parents never really seemed like parents to us.  They were more like our friends.  Beau and I can talk to our mom and dad about anything and they will always listen.  We have always been a very open family. We like to tease each other about everything."  His parents have taught him and his brother to never give up and when you do something, to make sure that you do it all the way and give it 100% of your energy. "My boys have always been each other support.  They encourage each other and get as much as possible out of each other's success.  If one fails, they both feel as if they have failed.  That aside, they are each other's worst critics.  We've been fortunate because Russ' size always allowed him to play with Beau and they have always been able to play together," said Louise Moyer, Russ and Beau's mother when asked about her boys. 

        Currently, Russ is playing out this last year with the Ottawa 67's.  After this, Russ hopes to go on to play hockey with a University so that he can attend school.  Right now his plans for the future include perhaps becoming a teacher at the high school level and although he is not sure at this very moment what his field of study will be, history is topping the list.

Russ Moyer
Russ Moyer

    Beau, on the other hand, presently is studying Business at the University of Wisconsin-Superior.  He also plays hockey for them.  Wearing number sixteen, Beau plays forward for the Yellow Jackets.  This season he was within the top ten in goals, assists, points and power play goals.

        Due to Russ and Beau's busy hockey schedules and Beau's studies, the two do not often have time to visit each other.  Christmas and summer are a time for the boys to catch up on all the hanging out together that they missed.  Just this past summer break at Beau's University he came up to visit Russ.  "I think we just miss hanging out together the most.  We do talk on MSN but it's nice when Beau can make the trip to Ottawa.  We get to hang out and he likes having a good time and let loose! My friends, Beau and I have a lot of fun when he comes to Ottawa."

        Russ and Beau's friends hardly even notice that the two are brothers when they are all together.  They are so close that even their friends see them just as buddies.  Mark Hocevar, a close friend of Russ and Beau's, confirmed this by saying, "Beau and Russ are kind of like a package.  If you ask one of them to do something, it is almost a given that both will come.  They are both so easy going.  They might be more like buddies, but when we all get together, we are all like brothers."

        Many people have friends that come and go but there is one main difference between Russ and Beau.  Good friends are hard to find but family is already there for you and stays forever.  Growing up together, these two boys pushed each other to end up where they are today.  Their success can be credited to their parents for their outstanding support and guidance and to each other.  Luck is on their side because they are not only best friends they are family and if you put those two together you create a bond that can be unbreakable.