GATINEAU (July 8, 2024) – Volleyball Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee have announced the roster of Team Canada men’s volleyball athletes nominated to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The athletes are:
Danny Demyanenko (Toronto, Ont.)
Luke Herr (Winnipeg, Man.)
Nick Hoag (Sherbrooke, Que.)
Brodie Hofer (Langley, B.C.)
Xander Ketrzynski (Toronto, Ont.)
Eric Loeppky (Steinbach, Man.)
Justin Lui (Pickering, Ont.)
Stephen Maar (Aurora, Ont.)
Fynn McCarthy (Lake Country, B.C.)
Arthur Szwarc (Toronto, Ont.)
Lucas Van Berkel (Edmonton, Alta.)
Brett Walsh (Calgary, Alta.)
Ryley Barnes (Edmonton, Alta.) – Alternate
The team qualified for Paris 2024 after placing second in its pool at the FIVB Olympic Qualification Tournament in China last fall. At the recent Volleyball Nations League tournament, the team finished the three-week preliminary phase in fifth place, advancing to the quarterfinals where they were eliminated by Japan, who went on to place second overall. Canada goes into Paris as the ninth-ranked team in the FIVB men’s volleyball world ranking.
Nick Hoag will make his third straight Olympic appearance after having competed at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, but it will be his first as team captain. Son of Olympian Glenn Hoag, who competed at Los Angeles 1984 where Canada achieved its best-ever Olympic result, the 31-year-old has been a member of Volleyball Canada’s senior national team since 2013. Hoag, whose mother and brother also were members of Volleyball Canada’s national team, contributed to the bronze medal won on home soil at the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games. He has played in three FIVB World Championships and two FIVB World Cups, and has contributed to Team Canada’s past three consecutive Olympic qualifications.
“It is always a great experience and every time it feels like a new one, too,” said Hoag. “We also have a very different team than the last two Olympics. Not only because of the several players retiring but also because volleyball has also evolved so much. It’s the highest level of volleyball in the world so it’ll be interesting to see how we perform outside of the recent Volleyball Nations League (VNL) competition. It is also very exciting to see all these new players coming into such a big tournament and perform at such a high level. As in the previous two Games, our objective is nothing less than a medal.”
Returning for a second Olympic appearance are Stephen Maar, Arthur Szwarc, and Lucas Van Berkel. Maar finished third overall in scoring in the 2024 Volleyball Nations League.
Danny Demyanenko is one of eight athletes on the men’s volleyball team who will make their Olympic debut. A member of Volleyball Canada’s national team since 2012, Demyanenko, who will celebrate his 30th birthday just days before the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony, has shared that qualifying for the Olympic Games has so far been a highlight in his volleyball career. Demyanenko began his career playing beach volleyball as a 14-year-old, but made the switch to indoor at 16.
“I am incredibly honoured and thrilled to have the opportunity to represent Canada in the Paris 2024 Olympics. I am so proud of what our team has been able to accomplish, the group we have is truly remarkable, and we hope to let that shine through in Paris,” said Demyanenko. “Personally, this has been a lifelong dream that has fuelled me through many ups and downs. Now, to finally represent Canada on the grandest stage, I hope to make Canada proud and inspire others to pursue their dreams and overcome the obstacles before them.”
Other athletes on Team Canada’s Paris 2024 volleyball team who will make their Olympic debuts are Luke Herr, Brodie Hofer, Xander Ketrzynski, Eric Loeppky, Justin Lui, Fynn McCarthy and Brett Walsh. Ketrzynski is the son of Olympian Alex Ketrzynski who competed in volleyball at Los Angeles 1984. In 2023, McCarthy was a recipient of the Bitove Indigenous Awards through the Canadian Olympic Foundation.
Team Canada has competed in the men’s volleyball tournament at five Olympic Games, posting its best result at Los Angeles 1984 with a fourth-place finish. Following a 24-year absence, the team qualified for Rio 2016 where they placed fifth. At Tokyo 2020, Team Canada placed eighth.
“To choose the Olympic team is not simple and I want to thank all the players who have worked so hard for this dream to be in the Olympics, including those who are not on the roster,” said Tuomas Sammelvuo, Volleyball Canada’s men’s head coach. “I would also like to thank all the staff and coaches who have worked with this team in the months and years leading up to this announcement. We want to represent Canada in the best way possible and for the whole country to be proud of Canadian volleyball on the world stage in Paris. Our focus is now on preparation for Paris – we must arrive on the court for the first match in the best technical, tactical, and mental condition possible. We don’t have a lot of time, but we will use our time effectively as we get back to work to get ready for the Olympic tournament.”
Men’s volleyball will take place July 27 to August 10 (Day 1 to 15) at the South Paris Arena 1. Team Canada will open its tournament against Slovenia on July 28 (Day 2), before playing France on July 30 (Day 4). They will wrap up the preliminary round against Serbia on August 3 (Day 8), and the quarterfinals, should they advance, begin on August 5 (Day 10).
‘’Congratulations to the Canadian volleyball players who will proudly represent our nation at Paris 2024. Their Olympic qualification is a vibrant testament to their determination to block obstacles. Between every gravity-defying jump, every lightning-fast exchange, and graceful dive, Team Canada is ready to compete with the world’s best teams and serve excellence in Paris,’’ said Bruny Surin, Team Canada’s Paris 2024 Chef de Mission. ‘’Go Canada! May every point be a demonstration of your passion for volleyball.’’
Team Canada’s men’s volleyball team for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games also includes the following coaches and support staff:
Abe Avender (Nanaimo, B.C.) – Chiropractor
Julien Boucher (Montreal, Que.) – High Performance Director
Joao Paolo Bravo (Presidente Prudente, Brazil) – Assistant Coach
Michael Cook (Sunderland, England) – Strength and Conditioning
Michael Hawkins (Lethbridge, Alta.) – Assistant Coach
Damian Musiak (Wrocław, Poland) – Performance Analyst
Cassandra Nicol (Sherbrooke, Que.) – Team Manager
Schad Richea (Brandon, Man.) – Athletic Therapist
Tuomas Sammelvuo (Pudasjärvi, Finland) – Head Coach
Jackie Skender (Ottawa, Ont.) – Media Attache
Prior to being named to Team Canada, all nominations are subject to approval by the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Team Selection Committee following its receipt of nominations by all National Sport Organizations.
The latest Team Canada Paris 2024 roster can be found here.
-30-
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jackie Skender
Volleyball Canada
C: 613-794-7676
E: jskender@volleyball.ca
Tara MacBournie, Program Manager, Sport Communications
Canadian Olympic Committee
C: 647-522-8328
E: tmacbournie@olympic.ca