The Tigers squad will be looking to win their first ever championship banner in the new RSEQ league format that merges traditional RSEQ teams (Laval, Montréal, Sherbrooke) with the AUS squads (Dalhousie, UNB). Key grads were league MVP Matt Donovan as well as starting setter and league all-star Adam Spragg.
Five starters return to the line up from last season. Leading the way are a pair of 2017-18 AUS all-star middles. Graham Schmuland (third-year, Sir Winston Churchill, AB) was an impact player in his first season with the Tigers and will be one of the top middles in the nation this season. Matt Woods (fourth-year, Citadel, NS) looks to build on another solid season and along with Schmuland will form arguably the best middle tandem in the league. They are joined by a pair of returning starting outside hitters in last years’ most improved player, Kobe Shannon (third-year, Citadel, NS) and Jeff Walton (third-year, Lasalle, ON). Kobe and Jeff will be joined by Harrison Callaghan (third-year, Citadel, NS) who missed all of last season due to injury after being a starter in 2016-17. All five players will be counted upon for leadership both on and off the court.
Four returning players figure to be in the mix for the Tigers this season. Malachy Shannon (second-year, Citadel, NS) will be competing to be the new starting setter, while Matt Sandeson (second-year, CEC, NS) will challenge to be the starting libero. Jasper Kristmanson (third-year, Fredericton High, NB) continues to improve and will provide valuable depth at the middle position and Justin Drapeau (second-year, Riverview, NB) is poised to earn playing time at the outside hitter position.
Several new faces will also impact this year’s Tigers. Quinton Dowling (St. David CSS, ON) is a game-ready setter with Team Ontario experience, and Sam Gaudet (Sommet, NS) brings years of solid experience at the libero position. Andrew Arseneau (Carrefour, NS) and Ethan Boyd (Three Oaks, PE) are both outside hitters with Canada Games experience. Blake McNeil (Citadel, NS) also possesses Canada Games experience at the middle position.