Latest news with #CanadianNationalTeam
National Post
19 hours ago
- Sport
- National Post
Danielle Serdachny seeks better fit away from Ottawa: ‘We'll be really upset that we lost her'
From the moment the PWHL announced its expansion rules during its championship series last month, one Ottawa player was destined to walk out the door. Article content Danielle Serdachny, fresh off signing a two-year deal with PWHL Seattle, didn't mince words in her first media appearance with her new team. Her rookie season in Ottawa fell short of expectations. Article content Article content 'It was more on the disappointing end,' the 24-year-old forward said. 'I didn't have as much as an impact as I hoped I would.' Article content Drafted second overall last summer after a dominant five-year career at Colgate University, Serdachny arrived in the nation's capital with big expectations. The Charge needed scoring and the Canadian national team forward looked poised to provide it with her elite speed and vision. Article content But even with big-game experience playing with the Canadian national team at world championship, Serdachny struggled in her adjustment to the PWHL. Skating in all 30 regular-season games, she compiled only two goals and eight points, tied with fellow rookie Mannon McMahon for ninth on the Charge. Article content Originally playing in a top-six role with power-play time, Serdachny slowly tumbled down the lineup until she found herself buried on the fourth line for nearly all of Ottawa's eight-game playoff run. Article content Meanwhile, Sarah Fillier — the only player drafted ahead of her last year — shared the league scoring title and earned a forward of the year nomination. In contrast, Serdachny looked out of place in Ottawa's defence-first, grinding style of play. She showed glimpses of the blazing speed and puck control that they drafted her for, but more common were the turnovers and lack of finish. Article content Article content The arrival of Seattle and Vancouver to the league couldn't have come at a better time. For Serdachny, a change of scenery and a healthy dose of opportunity is absolutely part of the equation to unlocking what many feel is superstar potential. Article content Article content 'This fresh start will be really, really good for me and a new opportunity to play under a new staff and with new teammates,' Serdachny said. 'Just hoping I can continue contribute in any way.' Article content Ottawa general manager Mike Hirshfeld has no doubts that she'll find her way — and make the Charge regret losing her even more than they already do now. Article content 'We were really optimistic about her future,' he said. 'We think she's got the potential to be one of the best players in this league, so it's disappointing when you lose that talent from your roster.' Article content With the ability to protect just three players from the expansion roster-building process, Hirshfeld and the Charge just couldn't take a chance protecting Serdachny over established difference-makers in Gwyneth Philips, Emily Clark and Ronja Savolainen.
CBC
6 days ago
- Health
- CBC
For Canadian volleyball player Lui, Pride month represents chance to inspire younger generation
When Justin Lui came out as gay to his Stanford University volleyball teammates in 2020, he remembers feeling two very strong emotions: anxiety and relief. Lui was in his sophomore year, socially distancing from his teammates due to the COVID-19 pandemic, when he decided to share his truth on a team email thread. "I remember writing the email, sending it, feeling this like a sigh of relief, but also an anxiety about how people respond and feel about it," he told CBC Sports. "Then I went immediately outside, and I went for a walk … I just walked around my neighborhood, and then came back, and that's when I saw a bunch of messages." Lui, a Libero — or defensive specialist — for the Canadian senior men's national volleyball team, said he was quickly met with messages of support, love, and encouragement for his bravery. The benefits of Lui's vulnerability quickly transcended into his performance, and experience, on the court, propelling him into becoming both a stronger volleyball player on the court, and a better teammate. "I felt more confident on the court. Volleyball is a super interpersonal sport, and so when I was able to come out and approach my teammates now as this authentic, genuine self," said the Pickering, Ont., native. "I think we're able to build better chemistry." As for the progress in sport, Lui feels a cultural shift happening into a much more inclusive space for the LGBQT community. "I'm getting messages from younger athletes saying they feel comfortable coming out and they want to talk to me about their process of coming out. Things like that, to me when I was younger, seemed so foreign," he said. "I think it's just becoming more normal for people to see people who are LGBTQ in sports and who are top athletes." WATCH: Lui recalls how he told his teammates: Team Canada men's volleyball player shares experience coming out as gay 38 minutes ago Duration 1:00 A positive Olympic experience This feeling carried him into his Olympic debut at the Paris 2024 Games where he represented Canada in men's volleyball. "After we qualified in 2023, and heading into 2024, It was between me and another libero who were competing for the spot, " he said. "I think in the past, that pressure would have been a lot for me and made me worse, but I think in this case, it was able to make me better." Lui adds that having gone through adversity prior to this had made him stronger, and able to take the pressure off himself. Despite the team finishing 0-3 in the tournament and 10th in the world, Lui says the experience was "amazing." "When I was in Paris, I told myself, you just want to have fun, enjoy yourself, play the best you can, not putting too much expectation on yourself," he said. "And I wouldn't be able to give myself that self-talk if I hadn't come out previously." Making his mark for Pride month While Lui likely won't be able to celebrate Pride in Toronto this year, as he'll be on the road with Team Canada for the 2025 Volleyball Nations League (VNL), he's creating his own way for people to celebrate. For the past few years, Lui and his family have distributed t-shirts to his close family and friends to wear in support of him at VNL. This year, to marry the excitement of both the VNL starting on June 11, and Pride month, he's selling custom Pride themed t-shirts and hoodies through CanuckStuff, a Canadian merchandise brand.
