Pat Hennelly is a pretty happy guy these days.  The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men's volleyball head coach feels like Christmas has come early for him.  
Hennelly has secured one of his most prized recruits of the 2020-21 high school class with the announcement that 6'6" outside hitter/middle Maxim Turgeon of Calgary, Alberta will join the program in September.
 
Turgeon will graduate this June from Western Canada high school and plays club with the Canuck Volleyball club.  They finished fifth at the 2019 Club nationals and third at the 2019 Alberta provincials. This club season, the Canuck U-18 squad finished in first place in their most recent tournament after placing sixth in their inaugural tournament before the COVID 19 virus shut down the season.

Turgeon is the son for former NHL'er Sylvain. His uncle is fellow former NHL'er Pierre Turgeon.

"There are several reasons why I decided to choose TRU", says Turgeon. "One is the excellent reputation of the TRU volleyball program, Pat Hennelly and his coaching Staff.  During my recruit visit the WolfPack team members, coaches and administrative staff were very welcoming, Coach Hennelly was very clear on his vision for me and where I would fit as a member of the team."
 
Turgeon goes onto say, "The TRU campus and facilities are first class, the location is beautiful, and I really like the smaller class sizes and the opportunity to participate in the Business Co Op Program.  I know a few former Canuck and Team Alberta Volleyball team mates/friends that are on the team.  THey gave me some great insight on the university, the city and the volleyball program. When I came to Kamloops, the players shared that they are extremely happy to be a part of the program, they enjoy living in Kamloops and are doing well academically.  I am confident that I will enjoy a very positive student athlete experience at Thompson Rivers."
 
While with the Canuck volleyball club, Turgeon played alongside Dylan Van Spankaren and Kobby Nyarko who just finished up their first seasons with the WolfPack.  "I made my decision based on if TRU would be a good fit for me academically and whether I would enjoy living in Kamloops but I will admit that the chance to play alongside Dylan and Kobby was very appealing. I enjoyed being their teammate in the past and it will be great to be alongside them playing at the university level."
 
And if Hennelly is happy about Turgeon's decision to come here, that enthusiasm is matched by Van Sparkaren and Nyarko's.  
 
"I tried my best to influence him, "Nyarko smiles.  "I texted him, called him, I came to Calgary to meet with him and have dinner at my house. I guess I did something right."

"I think the biggest role I had was probably planning the seed in his mind. He took a lot of care in making sure his decision was the right one and I think he made the right choice," stated Van Spankaren who saw the court a lot in his first year with the WolfPack.
 
All three players feel the chemistry they shared in club can work to their advantage at the Canada West level.   "We became quite close in our time playing together and even though I haven't seen him much this past year, I still consider him a close friend," Van Spankaren stated. "Knowing him and knowing the guys on the team, I can tell he'll fit in well with the group of returning players."
 
"I think our chemistry will work right away," Nyarko says.  "We reach each other very well on the court and we're really good friends off of it."
 
"I'm really looking forward to playing alongside Kobby and Dylan," Turgeon explains.  "We have a great camaraderie, we support, encourage and at times give each other a hard time (as friends do).  I have also played with Corbin (Ockerman, going into his second year with TRU) with Team Alberta. I look forward to being teammates with him again as well and getting to know my new teammates."
 
When asked what his strengths are Turgeon states, "I have been told that my speed and agility are my main strengths and that I am very coachable. I have a very positive attitude; great work ethic and I am a team player."
 
"I think he will do very well in Canada West,' explains Nyarko.  " He plays hard and has the skill set to play. "
 
"He is a smart player and I think his game will translate nicely to the next level, "adds Van Sparkaren. Hello all.
 
Turgeon's Western Canada High school finished third in Alberta this past season (2019). He joined Blair Laberge's program three years ago as a grade 10 student.  " Max took huge strides in our program. He came in as a middle blocker. Over the course of his first season he became one of the best in Alberta helping us win a city title and finish third in the province.  With an abundance of middles, we decided to move Max to the right side in his grade 11 year.  At that position, we became a very difficult team to play against because Max was a very efficient hitter from the right side and was getting better hitting from the back row. We again captured the city championship and lost a very tight five set match during the provincial championships finishing second. We decided to keep him at that position this past season and he became one of the most dangerous attackers from both the front and back row as we placed third at the Alberta championships."
 
Turgeon was one of Western Canada's team captains.  "He played in every situation in almost every position, "added Laberge. "His contributions to our team culture over the past three years was a staple of our success.  Max was one of the best players in our province. He is a great teammate who cares about the people he plays with and for. He is a fantastic kid who is thoughtful, considerate, personable and mature."
 
And Coach Laberge states, "Max will need to find consistency in his work ethic during practice to help him develop into the player he wants to be.  He has all the tools to be a great volleyball player, now it's about putting the work in, develop a better serve and increase his defensive abilities."
 
 
"Max was a guy we identified quite early as a  'blue chip' guy," says Coach Hennelly.  " It was quite a long recruiting process. He is coming into the program at a great time as we are obviously changing with a number of guys leaving. We are really looking forward to seeing Max develop as an outside hitter. He h as played mostly middle in club. I think he can make that transition.  We are really looking forward to having him here. He should get some opportunities to play next year.  Having Dylan and Kobby here will help Max in his transition to not only Canada West but university life as a whole.  Max has 'played up' his entire volleyball career and that will help fit in next year.  "
 
Turgeon was born in Kassel, Germany.  Being an elite athlete is in his genes. His father Sylvain and his uncle Pierre were both top level NHL Players.  He was born while his father was playing in Europe.
 
He added "  I am looking forward to becoming a student at TRU and a member of the WolfPack men's volleyball team and can't wait to work out with the guys."
 
Other committed recruits to the men's volleyball program for the 2020-21 Canada West season are: Jonas Vanhuizen (6'3" setter, Langley, BC-Langley Christian/Fraser Valley Volleyball Club/Team BC), Reilly Podovelnikoff (6'9" middle/outside hitter, Castlegar, BC-Mount Sentinel Secondary/Team BC),  Riley Brinnen ( 6'5" middle, Kelowna, BC-Kelowna Secondary/Kelowna Volleyball Club), Alex Turkewicz (6'9" middle, Hamilton, ON-Bishop Ryan/Mohawk College Mountaineers (OCAA), and Matthew Hamilton (6'3", outside hitter, Lethbridge Alberta-Lethbridge Collegiate Institute/Lethbridge Volleyball Club).
 
SIDE OUTS:  Turgeon on being a role model as well as dealing with the media attention WolfPack athletes get in the Kamloops community, "I think this will be fun, I don't have a problem with this. I was a member of the Young Canadians when I was young ages (7 – 9) we performed in front of 20,000 people each night at the Grandstand show, I enjoyed it, gained a lot of confidence as a result. My Dad and other family members have had or still have celebrity status.I am comfortable in front of a camera or doing an interview.  It will be a great learning opportunity I think. "
 
Van Sparkaren's favorite story about Turgeon, "One story I remember with Max is our last tournament together when he sprained his ankle on the second day and despite being barely able to walk out of the gym, he was starting for our team the next day,"
 
Nyarko on his experience with Turgeon, "When we were playing club last year and I was on the court just standing near the back line he jump served and landed on my leg and sprained his ankle. I remember feeling really bad at first. Then we looked back at the video and he just laughed. We had fun with it even though he got hurt."
 
Laberge on Turgeon, "Max will be a great fit with your program. You are getting a very good volleyball player and even better person."