Team Canada's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Wide Roster for 2026 has been announced, and two players with Bisons connections have made the 30-man squad. Setter Luke Herr -- a veteran of the senior national team -- along with outside hitter Owen Weekes, who also has plenty of Team Canada experience, will rep the red and white.

Canada kicks off action in the VNL in Ottawa from June 10-14. Their first game is against Germany at 6:30 pm local time. 

A member of Canada's roster at the 2024 Paris Olympics, this will be Herr's fourth consecutive year representing Canada in the VNL.

In October of 2024, he helped Team Canada qualify for their third straight Olympic games, doing so by defeating Mexico 3-0 (25-20, 25-21, 25-15) in its final game of the men's Olympic Qualification Tournament in China. 

Herr, a 6'4" Winnipeg product from John Taylor Collegiate, played for the Bisons from 2012-17. During his time with the Herd, he amassed 3,816 assists, the most in the rally-scoring era in program history, and the second-most in Canada West. His 127 career regular season aces are also the most in the rally scoring era for the 'Zoons. 

A member of Manitoba's 2017 nationals-qualifying squad, the 31-year-old also holds two of the top five single-season assist marks in Canada West history. His 988 in the 2015-16 season are the second-most, while his 980 in 2014-15 are the fourth-most in a conference season. 

After his time with the Bisons, Herr turned pro, playing in Germany (2017-20, 2021-22), the Netherlands (2020-21) Greece (2022-2024) and France (2024-present).

On the international stage, he was named Best Setter at the 2022 Pan American Cup, and the 2023 NORCECA Championships.

"Luke has been the backbone of this generation of Team Canada, and it really is no surprise after being the backbone of some extremely talented Bisons squads in the mid 2010's," said Bisons head coach Lupo Ludwig.

"He's probably one of the most consistent players to come through the program, and you can see that translate to his multiple summers with Team Canada. He's steady, and it's just great seeing a Bisons alum thrive at the next level."

This is Weekes' first time representing the senior national team, but he's no stranger to the international stage with Team Canada. 

The 6'8" Winnipeg native was on Canada's U21 roster each of the last two summers. In 2025, he helped Canada earn silver at the Pan Am Cup, and he also travelled to China for the U21 World Championships in China. 

During the World Championships, Weekes was a standout, recording 45 total points, including 34 attack points. His best game came against Kazakhstan, where he amassed 20 points, including 16 attack points. 

At the U SPORTS level, Weekes collected numerous accolades for the Herd. He was an All-Rookie selection in 2024-25, as well as the Bisons Male Rookie of the Year. This past season, he helped Manitoba win bronze at nationals, their first medal at the event in 14 years. 

Over two seasons with the Bisons, the Vincent Massey grad tallied 342 kills, averaging 3.4 points per set. At nationals, Weekes led Manitoba in kills in all three contests they played, including 16 on 41 total attacks in a 3-0 sweep of host Windsor in the bronze medal game. 

"It's Owen's first time making the senior national team, and the future is so bright for him," said Ludwig.

"You look at all the work he put into his game from the Junior Bisons program, to the two years he spent with the men's team, his growth has been incredible, and this is just the start of what will likely be a long career at the senior level." 

SEE ALSO:

• Team Canada qualify for 2024 Paris Olympics
• Bisons block out the noise, beat Windsor for first medal at nationals in 14 years