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CALGARY, Canadá, April 19, 2022 - After
a nine-year career with the National Team
including back-to-back Olympic
appearances, Graham Vigrass is announcing his
retirement from Team Canada.
Vigrass’ last event with the team was in 2021 at
the Tokyo Olympics where the Canadians finished
eighth. "Playing for Team Canada and competing
in the Olympics was always a dream of mine
growing up," Vigrass said.
The 2020 Games was his second Olympic
appearance, after finishing fifth at the 2016
Rio Games – the best Olympic result for the
men’s volleyball team since 1984 and first
appearance since 1992.
Those Olympics stand out to the Calgary, Alberta
native as the most memorable moment of his
career. "It was so memorable because it wasn't
just 12 guys who qualified,” he reflected.
“There were a number of guys who were a part of
the program that made it possible. As soon as I
joined the team I realized there were so many
players and staff trying to qualify for years.
“Us qualifying was because of the hard work of
so many others and they didn't get to enjoy the
Olympics but I hope they know they were a big
part of it.”
The middle blocker has been a part of a number
of key accomplishments with the National Team,
including a seventh-place finish at the 2014
World Championships, bronze at the 2015 Pan
American Games and at the 2017 FIVB World
League, and multiple NORCECA medals, including a
gold medal at the 2015 NORCECA Champions Cup.
Prior to joining the National Team, Vigrass
played with the University of Calgary Dinos,
leading them to a 2010 U SPORTS National
Championship and 2011 bronze medal, plus a
Canada West Championship bronze in 2010 and gold
in 2011. He was named MVP in the 2010 U SPORTS
Championship and followed that up by being the U
SPORTS Player of the Year and MVP in the 2011
Canada West Championship.-
This became a theme for Vigrass, as he was also
named Best Middle Blocker in 2017 World League,
and Best Blocker in the 2019 Volleyball Nations
League.
He’s had an extensive professional career,
starting off in France with Arago de Sète in
2013-14 and making stops in Tunisia, Turkey,
Germany, and Poland. Highlights from this his
time overseas include a 2015 Tunisian Cup, a top
finish in both the 2016-17 and 2017-18 German
Bundesliga seasons, and 2021 Turkish Supercup,
and a 2022 BVA Cup, among numerous other medals.
"There are too many people to thank," Vigrass
started. "First my wife, Kylie, for sacrificing
a lot for us to live this life while raising our
two boys. Also my family, who have always
supported me so much. And to all the coaches I
have had, there are too many to name, but they
all had a big part in my career. I was very
lucky to have such amazing coaches growing up
which created my love for the game.”
Vigrass is the second member of the 2020 Olympic
squad to officially retire from the men’s
national team after Tokyo, with team captain
Gord Perrin announcing his retirement in
November.
Vigrass, now 32-years-old, is back in his
hometown, looking to find that same passion he’s
had in his career in sport. “I will be back in
Calgary trying to figure out what is next,”
Vigrass explained about his future. “I'm looking
for a job where I can wake up and love what I do
like I have for the last 10 years playing
volleyball.”
“I think the team will be strong,” he
concluded. "There is a good group of guys that
have experience and a lot of skilled young
players coming up. I think the level of
volleyball in Canada is better than ever and I'm
excited to see what they can do." |
