HOAG Nicholas

General
MOVE TO TURKEY
He initially planned to move to a club in Italy in 2020, but due to the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic he was forced to look for another club. He signed for Turkish club Fenerbahce ahead of the 2020/21 Efeler Ligi season. "There is a little more money here [in Turkey]. Players have turned to Turkey for more financial support. Some teams will be more competitive this year and it will be fun to play there." His move to Turkey also allows him to see more of his family, with his father Glenn coaching Efeler Ligi club Arkas Spor and his brother Christopher playing for Turkish 1. Ligi club Saint-Joseph Izmir. "I think he [his father] is happy that we can see each other a little more often. My mother is happy and my brother is also in Turkey. The whole family is here and it will be fun to see each other outside of volleyball too." (lapresse.ca, 21 Aug 2020)

FATHER
His father Glenn has served as head coach of the Canadian men's volleyball team since 2006, and Nick admits he found it challenging at times to be coached by his father early in his international career. "If I had a hard practice one day, I had a hard time speaking with him [his father] after, outside practice. If we had dinner together or something, it was hard for me to speak to my dad at that point, and not my coach."­ He also says he is happy to be making a name for himself in volleyball after often being referred to as his father's son. "At first I was mostly Glenn's son, but I'm starting to make my own name as a player. It's something I've always wanted. Obviously I am proud to be Glenn's son and I am privileged to have had him to help me in my development and to have acquired my work ethic, but I am happy now to make my name for myself." (cbc.ca, 28 Jun 2016; journaldequebec.com, 04 Jul 2020)

OVERSEAS EXPERIENCE
He has played professional volleyball in France, Italy and Poland, and says his experience playing overseas has helped improve his game and allowed him to experience other cultures. "They play more games, so there is more pressure and more high-level experience. Also, you meet all kinds of people, we discover other cultures, learn other philosophies, other players and other languages." (volleyball-movies.net, 09 May 2014; volleyball.qc.ca, 01 Feb 2014; fenerbahce.org, 01 Jan 2021)