The Holland Hurricanes are happy to announce that Tyler Johnston (Cardigan, PEI) has been named the new head coach for our baseball program, beginning immediately.
Johnston replaces the outgoing, Andrew MacNevin, who served in the position since 2013.
Johnston has a strong connection to baseball on PEI, having represented the province at every level of minor baseball through the years, eventually being recruited by Mercyhurst North East College (North East, Pennsylvania, USA) out of high school. He would eventually find his way into the Holland Hurricanes lineup in 2018 and 2019, as a pitcher.
With the ‘Canes, Johnston was named the team’s Top Pitcher in both seasons, leading the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACBA) in strikeouts in his final year. In 2018, the Hurricanes won the Atlantic Championship, while in 2019 they fell in the semi-finals but rebounded to win a bronze medal at the National Championship. Academically, Johnston received the Hurricanes Athletic and Academic Achievement Award in both years while attending Holland College, studying in the Construction Technology and Management program.
As a coach, Johnston has been a part of the U14 and U16 PEI girls’ baseball teams the last two years, and in 2023, he served as an Assistant and Pitching coach with the Hurricanes.
“I’m thrilled to step into this role with a program that I take so much pride in being a part of already,” shared Johnston. “I’m looking forward to helping this team maintain a winning culture that has been so well established over the past decade.”
The Hurricanes have been a force in Canadian and Atlantic Canadian collegiate baseball since the team was formed in 2013. The program has a total regular season record of 113-21, four Atlantic Championships, and five National medals over that time.
“We welcome Tyler to the role, but he is certainly no stranger to the Hurricanes or our fans,” shared Director of Athletics and Recreation at Holland College, Albert Roche.
“Tyler is a great fit for our program. He has a solid knowledge of athletics at Holland College, a proven playing and coaching resume, and a keen interest in developing our baseball program. He understands the goals in place for the team and our focus on optimizing the student-athlete experience. As a former student-athlete with the Hurricanes, and an assistant coach with our team, he understands and connects with our players. We look forward to working with Tyler in an increased capacity moving forward and growing our baseball program together.”
In 2023, the ‘Canes finished at 9-7 and fourth in the conference. After a win and a loss at the Atlantic Championships, with a berth to the championship game on the line, they fell to UNB, 6-5 in a walk-off loss, to have their season come to an end.
The Hurricanes will once again be competing in the ACBA in 2024, alongside the Acadia Axemen, St. FX X-Men, UNB Reds, Dalhousie Tigers and SMU Huskies. Stay tuned for the release of the season schedule in the coming weeks.
Connect with the baseball Hurricanes at www.x.com/HCanesBaseball and www.instagram.com/hollandcanesbaseball.
For more information on the Holland Hurricanes, please visit www.hollandhurricanes.com, www.facebook.com/hollandhurricanes, www.x.com/hc_hurricanes and www.instagram.com/hollandhurricanes.
-30-
140 Weymouth Street, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada C1A 4Z1
Tel: 1-800-446-5265 | Fax: 902-629-4239