AOTW | Hannah Whalen & Hatem Al Masri Named Hurricanes Athletes of the Week

By Reegan MacAulay

Women’s rugby player Hannah Whalen and men’s soccer player Hatem Al Masri have been named the Holland Hurricanes Athletes of the Week for the week ending Oct. 5, 2025.

Whalen, a rookie back row from Vernon Bridge, P.E.I., helped the women’s rugby Hurricanes surge to a hard-fought 17-12 win against the Mount Allison Mounties on Sunday, Oct. 5, in Sackville, N.B. Because of the win, Holland has clinched second-place in the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) regular-season standings and secured home-field advantage for the ACAA Women’s Rugby Championship Semifinals on Sunday, Oct. 26.

Since first joining the Hurricanes, Whalen has stepped into a crucial position at 8-man and made an immediate impact within the lineup. This past Sunday, she led her squad to a courageous victory, making numerous tackles, supporting her teammates in almost every ruck, and breaking the line late in the second half for a 30-meter run. Her opponents chose her to be Holland’s player of the game.

The women’s rugby Hurricanes have one regular-season game left before the playoffs begin, with a road trip to Fredericton, N.B., on Sunday, Oct. 19, to take on the unbeaten UNB Reds.

Connect with the women’s rugby Hurricanes at www.instagram.com/hollandhurricanesrugby.

Al Masri, a rookie winger from Daraa, Syria, executed multiple strong performances with the men’s soccer Hurricanes this past weekend at the Terry Fox Sports Complex in Cornwall, P.E.I., notably scoring a crucial goal against the STU Tommies on Sunday, Oct. 5.

Faced with immense pressure over back-to-back matches due to the team needing a win to keep their postseason hopes alive, Al Masri was one of many players who showcased phenomenal hustle and an outstanding work ethic, particularly with his defensive responsibilities, knowing what was at stake.

While the Hurricanes were unsuccessful, losing 2-1 to the UNBSJ Seawolves on Saturday, Oct. 4, and 3-2 to the STU Tommies on Sunday, Oct. 5, Al Masri’s efforts didn’t go unnoticed, and he looks to end the season strong regardless of the outcome.

The men’s soccer Hurricanes will close out their campaign with a road trip to Moncton, N.B., on Saturday, Oct. 18, to face the Crandall Chargers, and one final home contest on Sunday, Oct. 19, against the Dalhousie Rams.

Connect with the men’s soccer Hurricanes at www.instagram.com/canesmsoccer and www.x.com/canesmsoccer.

Connect with the Holland Hurricanes at www.hollandhurricanes.com, www.facebook.com/hollandhurricanes,www.x.com/hc_hurricanes and www.instagram.com/hollandhurricanes.

Congratulations, Hannah and Hatem!