Canada's national team enters the 2026 Volleyball Nations League seriously strengthened. Head coach Dan Lewis announced the extended squad for the tournament, and the biggest news is the return of several of the team's most important figures after more than a year of absence.
Among them, the names of Stephen Maar, Danny Demyanenko, Eric Loeppky, and Arthur Szwarc stand out. These returns make Canada an even more formidable opponent for Bulgaria before the direct clash between the two teams in the VNL.
The match is scheduled for June 27, 2026, in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and the additional intensity comes from the fact that the Canadians defeated Bulgaria last season with a 3:0 (26:24, 25:23, 25:19) sweep in Quebec.
Who remains from the 2025 squad
The core of the team is also preserved. Dan Lewis continues to rely on several of the leading figures from recent seasons.
| Also remain for 2026 |
|---|
| Luke Herr, Max Elgert, Mason Graves, JJ Love, Brodie Hofer, Skylar Varga, Eric Cira, Jackson Young, Kaden Schmidt, Xander Ketrzynski, Jordan Canham, Deanan Gyimah, Jackson Howe, Cory Schoenherr, Cole Duncanson, Landon Currie, Darian Picklyk, Zachary Hollands |
The retention of this group means that Canada will not start a new cycle from scratch, but will combine an experienced core with returning leaders and a few new names.
Significant absences compared to 2025
However, alongside the returns, several important volleyball players from last summer are also missing from the squad.
| Absent compared to 2025 |
|---|
| Nicholas Hoag, Ryan Sclater, Isaac Heslinga, Jesse Elser, Fynn McCarthy, Justin Lui |
Most notable is the absence of veteran Nicholas Hoag, who for years was the face of the Canadian national team. Also excluded from the squad is opposite hitter Ryan Sclater, who was among the team's main scorers.
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Canada's Extended Squad for VNL 2026
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Setters | Max Elgert, Mason Graves, Luke Herr, JJ Love, Jonathan Portelance |
| Outside Hitters | Eric Loeppky, Skylar Varga, Jackson Young, Owen Weeks, Caden Schmidt, Stephen Maar, Brodie Hofer, Eric Siksna |
| Middle Blockers | Jackson Howe, Danny Demyanenko, Pearce Eshenko, Deenen Coffey Djima, Corey Schoenherr, Cody Hudson, Trent Cherwaty, Cole Duncanson |
| Opposites | Sharone Vernon-Evans, Arthur Szwarc, Xander Ketrzynski, Jordan Canham, Daniel Herschtinowitsch |
| Liberos | Landon Currie, Darian Picklyk, Zachary Hollands, Quintin Greenidge |
| Head Coach | Dan Lewis |
Despite some significant absences, Canada enters the VNL 2026 as one of the most challenging opponents for Bulgaria in the tournament.
photo: Nikolay Varadinov
