With the 2019-2020 season quickly approaching, the men’s volleyball Hurricanes continue preparations to defend their Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) championship. The Hurricanes will add to their offensive game with the return of outside hitter, Gordon Veitch. 

Veitch, from Cymbria, PEI, was the 2017-2018 Top Offensive player for the Hurricanes.  He returns to the team to continue his education, enrolling in the Environmental Applied Sciences Technology program.

“This program compliments my previous academic studies, and it's a growing industry. The program offers competitive two-plus-two options with universities all across Canada that I look to explore.”

Veitch was a part of the Hurricanes first-ever ACAA Championship winning team in 2017, where he was also named a Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Academic All-Canadian as well as Hurricanes Most Dedicated player; in 2018 he was named a CCAA All-Canadian.

“My strengths as a player are my dedication and hard work. I play every game like it’s the championships.”

Max Arsenault, head coach for the Hurricanes, welcomes the leadership Veitch brings to the roster, along with his experience.

“We are very excited to have Gordon make a return to the Hurricanes.  As a former All-Canadian, Gordon brings excitement to the program, as well as experience, leadership and stability to the younger core.  He is an extremely dedicated player, and we are certain that he will make a huge impact on the team. 

Veitch spent last season training with a variety of coaches and players from around Canada and continued to strengthen his volleyball skills.

“I had the opportunity to train with two teams from Alberta last season; one in the Alberta Collegiate Athletic Conference (ACAC) and the other in the Canada West Conference (U Sports). This exposed me to players from multiple countries; I hope to bring this experience to the Hurricanes.”

Veitch was named to the ACAA All-Conference team twice while with the Hurricanes and hopes his skills and experience, paired with a roster full of individuals who all bring something to the team, will create an exciting season for fans to enjoy.

“The Hurricanes volleyball team is a growing storm, literally. It is a young team, however with two ACAA championships in the last three years, the team is hungry to finally leave its mark at nationals. Fans can expect a team that is going to play every game like it's on a national stage.”

The Hurricanes will kick off their regular season on Saturday, November 2 when they visit the Université de Sainte-Anne Dragons at 6 pm in Church Point, Nova Scotia.  The team will play their home opener on Saturday, November 9 when they host the University of New Brunswick-Saint John (UNBSJ) Seawolves at 2 pm at the Holland College Centre for Community Engagement in Charlottetown, PEI.

Hurricanes Volleyball Booster Club memberships are now on sale.  For $100, fans will receive a season pass to all men’s and women’s Hurricanes volleyball home games in 2019-20, a limited-edition Hurricanes toque, plus a personalized name badge.  For more information, or to sign-up, email hollandhurricanes@hollandcollege.com or call (902) 894-6870.

To connect with the men’s volleyball Hurricanes, please visit www.twitter.com/canesmvball. 

For more information on the Holland Hurricanes, please visit www.hollandhurricanes.com, www.facebook.com/hollandhurricanes, www.twitter.com/hc_hurricanes and www.instagram.com/hollandhurricanes.

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Story written by:

Mason Murray

Department of Athletics and Recreation

Holland College