Helland-Hansen named ACAC Male Athlete of the Year

To say the least, Helland-Hansen was shocked to take home the hardware.

“[Monday] I said that I had class,” said Helland-Hansen. “I was like, ‘I have class, can I not show up because I have a presentation in class?’ So, my coach was like, ‘No you have to be there’ and I was like, ‘Okay, well I guess I’ll go.’ So, it was very surprising.”

Helland-Hansen’s award caps off a strong year for the Norwegian outside hitter. He finished the season with 37 service aces, 202 kills and 125 digs, and was named both the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference and the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Men’s Volleyball Player of the Year. Most recently, he repeated as the Rattlers Male Athlete of the Year.

He adds equal credit should be given to his teammates who will carry the torch.

“I think just the fact that we’ve had such a tight group this year has helped us to reach even further,” he said. “And hopefully [over] the next couple years, I’ll be watching this team for the years to come, and hopefully they can get ever further.”

Along with the athletic recognition, the three-year veteran was also an honour roll student in each of his semesters.

Rattlers head coach Mark Porter said Helland-Hansen is more than deserving of this award.

“For me, he’s one of the most coach-able human beings I’ve ever been around and one of the hardest working,” said Porter. “But, I think the greatest accolade is the recognition that he’s received from the other coaches and other players around the league, and on his own team.”

Helland-Hansen joins Rattlers soccer coach Jim Loughlin, who was also named ACAC Coach of the Year, as provincial winners.

by Mitch Bach

Helland-Hansen named ACAC Male Athlete of the Year

Our Community