Hansen-Young bros boost Vikings lineup

Jaxsten Hansen-Young made a big decision for his senior year.

Instead of returning to the Southwest Cougars of the Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League, he decided to play high school hockey and volleyball for the Vincent Massey Vikings.

One month in, it absolutely feels like the right move for Hansen-Young. The six-foot-three outside hitter was named an all-star as the Vikings beat the Mennonite Brethren Hawks 2-1 (18-25, 25-23, 15-13) to win the Brandon University boys’ volleyball tournament on Saturday.

To top it off, he did it alongside his brother, Jagger, the other starting outside hitter for Massey.

“That’s something so special,” Jaxsten said. “That’s what I love about this year, so much. We’re so close and it’s going to bring us even closer.

“It’s so fun. We’ve got such a good group of boys here. We’re always having a good time and it feels great.”

It’s not like Jaxsten was struggling on the ice. He had carved out a substantial role for Southwest, exactly doubling his offensive output from 2024-25 by recording eight goals and 28 assists in 48 games last season.

His reason to change paths in Grade 12 is simple.

“Playing for the logo,” he said. “Everything’s for the team. I love my school and want to be a part of that. We’ve got something special going for both teams here.

“It starts with lots of talent but it’s also such a team thing. We’re so tightly bonded, and in games like this when we’re down, we can lean on each other. That’s going to take us a long way.”

The Vikings won three matches and split two on Friday, taking the top spot in Pool B.

They swept their junior varsity squad in the first round of the playoffs, then dropped the Crocus Plainsmen 2-0 in the quarterfinals. They had a close opening set against Westwood in the semifinals, but won 25-23, 25-13 to reach a final against MBCI, which had only lost two sets all weekend as well.

The Hawks dominated the first set, but the Vikings hung around as tournament MVP Sam Redekop fed the brothers and guided the team through two narrow sets to secure the title.

Jagger wasn’t sure he’d ever get to play with his big brother, so he’s making the most of it.

“It’s a dream come true. I love it. We definitely have very different play styles out there, but it helps the team out,” Jagger said.

The Hansen-Youngs have no shortage of volleyball role models to look up to in their family, from grandmother/long-time local coach Rhonda and great uncle/Olympian Russ Paddock, to aunt/BU star setter Becky Birch, to older sisters/U Sports players Jayde and Jersey.

Jersey was the No. 1-ranked player in Manitoba when she led the Vikings to their first-ever AAAA provincial championship in 2024, and is in her second year with the University of Manitoba Bisons.

“I grew up playing volleyball; I’ve been to all my sisters’ games, my brother’s games growing up. Taking after them feels great,” Jagger said.

“Jersey, as a left side, I like her passing ability and she’s a great player all-around. I tried to put her as one of my role models growing up.”

The Vikings are also 1-0 in Brandon High School Volleyball League play and are back in action at home tonight against the Neelin Spartans.

Massey is 2-0 against Crocus, the only team in its way to reach provincials, so this group is looking ahead and eager to make some noise in November.

“We’re going to work hard at practice, work on the little things, serve, receive,” Jaxsten said.

“Getting close as a team, we’re always doing stuff together, and that’s going to be a key moving forward.”

» tfriesen@brandonsun.com