Every athlete who plays their sport at an elite level dreams of making a professional career out of it.  For a former member of the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men’s volleyball team, that dream has become a reality. Gord Perrin Gord Perrin (Creston, BC), who played for the WolfPack from 2007-2010 has signed a two year professional contract with Arkas volleyball club in Turkey.  The former CIS first team All Canadian spent this past season at the National Team Training Center in Gatineau, Quebec.  “The coach of our national team (Glenn Hoag) is the head coach at Arkas,” says Perrin.  “ He got in touch with my agent and offered a spot on his team.” Arkas was second in the Turkish Pro League last season and plays in the Champions  Pro European League.   Ironcally, Arkas is based in Izmir Turkey: the home town of Perrin’s former teammate with the WolfPack Behlul Yavasgel. Gord Perrin with Behlul Yavasgel “This is a great opportunity for Gord to play overseas,” says Yavasgel. “He’ll get to play, practice and watch one of the best players in the world. Its a unique situation and the world is pretty small.”  Yavasgel adds: “ I came here six years ago and now my old teammate is going where I was.” Perrin is looking forward to the challenge of playing professionally and at the same time “ I get a great opportunity to be coached all year round under the Canadian national team system and one of the best coaches in the world.” The two teammates have been talking.  Yavasgel states “Gord is excited about experiencing a professional volleyball lifestyle.  We didn’t really talk about the city. Maybe we will when he goes there. I could tell him the places to see and stuff. I still have good friends on the team and they will take him around.” Gord Perrin (right) with fellow CIS All-Star Kevin Tillie in 2009-10 Perrin had the chance to go to a couple of professional teams but chose Arkas because he thought it was the best fit.  He will be one of two former Canada West and national team players with Arkas.  The other is Justin Duff, a middle from the University of Winnipeg. Hoag says its a good move for Perrin.  “ I think Gord will really profit and learn from an experience in Europe,” he says.  “ I see this as a beginning for Gord. Its sometimes difficult to adjust to this type of lifestyle. I’ll try and help him as much as I can.” WolfPack head coach Pat Hennelly is pleased that his former player is moving onto the professional ranks.  “ I think this is what CIS volleyball is all about.  We have guys from Turkey play and develop in Canada and in turn, Turkish professional teams hire Canadians like Gord and Justin Duff as well as head coach Glen Hoag. Turkey is one of the top professional leagues in the world.  This will be an excellent start for Gord’s career.  I wish Gord all the best and its nice to see the best player in our six year history continue to set new milestones for the program.” The WolfPack are planning a trip to Turkey in 2012.  Hennelly said it would be incredible to play against Perrin’s new team : Arkas. SIDE OUTS:  Hoag on how the pro experience will help Perrin: “ He will be an asset if he can play at this level no problem. He has grown quite strong in the National team full Time training center. He is ready for the next step.  We will play in the Champions League this year and he’ll gain valuable experience.  I can monitor his training and growth for another year and that is valuable.”  Two other teammates of Perrin’s: Tony Zylstra and Josh Boruck played professionally overseas last year.  Zylstra toiled with Randaberg IL in Norway’s pro league.  Boruck was with Maccabi Tel Aviv in Isreal.