By Mitchell Peach
Since the formation of the Holland College Football program in 2010, hundreds of student-athletes have suited up in the maroon for the Hurricanes. For many, they have gone on to achieve great things once their careers at Holland College have come to an end.
Today, we are focusing on the 12 individuals who have been named recipients of the Hilton Memorial Trophy, presented annually to the Most Valuable Player of the Hurricanes.
But first, who was Ed Hilton?
Ed Hilton was the former football coach at the St. Dunstan’s University in 1960, and eventually became the Athletic Director at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI). As a master at recruiting athletes, Hilton would motivate his players to play with verve, determination and a camaraderie forged by countless hours of practice under his stern and demanding leadership.
In 1973–74, Hilton was named AUAA (now the Atlantic University Sport, or AUS) and CIAU (USports) football Coach of the Year, as his squad marched through the Atlantic Conference, advancing to the championship game before being beaten by St. Mary’s.
Much beloved by his players, Hilton modelled a commitment to excellence and a passionate advocacy for the less fortunate of society. Many of his athletes moved on after graduating, using the skills and lessons they learned from his example.
The Hilton Memorial Trophy was donated to the Hurricanes football program, on behalf of the former players of Ed Hilton, to be given annually to the team’s most valuable player.
As we prepare for our 15th year of Hurricanes Football, let’s look back at the previous winners of the Hilton Memorial Trophy.
2010 & 2011 seasons | Demetrius Ferguson
Demetrius Ferguson, known as “Big Meech”, from Nassau, Bahamas, is the only two-time winner to-date of the Hilton Memorial Trophy.
The 5’10”, 205 lb. defensive back powered the Hurricanes in their first two seasons, including leading the Hurricanes to the team’s first ever Atlantic Football League (AFL) Championship in 2011.
Ferguson went on to continue his collegiate football career at the USports level after leaving Holland College, suiting up for the St. Francis Xavier (St. FX) X-Men (Antigonish, Nova Scotia) for three seasons (2012-2015). He was also a standout track and field star while at St. FX.
2012 season | Robbie Tufts
Robbie Tufts joined the Hurricanes in 2011 as a receiver, helping lead Holland College to its first league championship title.
The speedy and physical slot receiver had great hands and could change the course of a game over his two seasons with the Hurricanes. He was relied upon and a major key in the early success of the program.
After completing his time with Holland College, Tufts went on to play with the Dalhousie Tigers in 2013.
Robbie now resides in Halifax, Nova Scotia with his family.
2013 season | Cardell Rolle
Cardell Rolle joined the Hurricanes from Nassau City, New Providence, Bahamas, as a linebacker for the 2013 season. He eventually played two seasons for the ‘Canes, leading the team to back-to-back championships while he attended Holland College.
Cardell was a great linebacker for the ‘Canes during his time with the team. He could do it all, excelling with his sideline-to-sideline play from the middle linebacker position, always a threat to make a play at any time in coverage with his athletic ability.
He completed a trades program while studying at Holland College, learning skills he puts to use daily as he works as a carpenter here on Prince Edward Island, with his family.
2014 season | Christian Hackney
Christian came to Holland College in the fall of 2013 after spending three years as quarterback of the Windsor AKO Fratmen (now the St. Clair Saint's) in the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL).
“Holland College provided me a great opportunity to further my football career and gave me the opportunity to pursue a degree/diploma in sport”.
Hackney was a part of the AFL winning Hurricanes in 2013 and 2014, both years being selected as an AFL All-Star.
Upon completion of the 2014 season, Christian was selected to attend the 2015 CFL East Regional Combine in Montreal. Christian played one season of professional football in Europe, for the Bratislava Monarchs (Slovakia), before retiring from the game.
After leaving Holland College, Christian continued his studies on a track and field scholarship from Bushnell University in Oregon. He was a two-time All-American in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and still holds the school record in men’s javelin.
Hackney is now the founder, and head performance coach, of YQG Athletics, a Track and Field club dedicated to the throwing events in LaSalle, Ontario. He’s also the head throws coach at Sandwich Secondary School.
2015 season | Jay Dearborn
The most famous of Hurricanes football alumni is Jay Dearborn from Yarker, Ontario.
The 6’3”, 2019 defensive back and kicker led the ‘Canes to three-straight AFL titles, in 2013, 2014 and 2015. He would be named a special teams and defensive back all-star in 2015.
Upon completion of his time at Holland College, Dearborn attended the 2016 CFL Eastern Regional Combine, before jumping to the USports level with the Carleton University Ravens (Ottawa, Ontario). He would compete as the team’s defensive back for three seasons (2016-2018).
In 2019, Dearborn would once again be invited to the CFL Eastern Regional Combine, while also turning heads at the CFL National Combine, when he recorded a staggering 42” vertical.
In 2019, Jay would sign with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, making his CFL debut. After the 2020 season was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Dearborn would rejoin the Roughriders in 2021. His CFL career would not be over there, in 2023 he would sign as a free agent with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and remains hopeful to return to the league.
Outside of football, Jay has been developing a tremendous bobsleigh career, first being named to the Canadian National team in 2020. He would then achieve the incredible feat of representing Canada at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
2016 season | Zach Davidson
Zach Davidson, currently a member of the Hurricanes coaching staff, is from Saint Stephen, New Brunswick. The offensive lineman was a force with the Hurricanes, helping lead the ‘Canes to three-straight AFL Championships between 2013 and 2015. He concluded his time with the ‘Canes after the 2016 season, a season that would see him be named an offensive lineman all-star.
Zach came to Holland College to study kinesiology.
“I really enjoyed the program and the hands-on learning that it offered”.
After his time at Holland College, Davidson finished his collegiate football career at the USports level with the Mount Allison University (Mt. A) Mounties (Sackville, New Brunswick).
He has since moved back to PEI where he raises his family, and since 2021 has been working hard with the Hurricanes in-hopes of bringing back more championships to Holland College in the future.
2017 season | Cole Brydges
Cole Brydges made his way to PEI to play with the Hurricanes from Portage, Manitoba.
The standout receiver joined the ‘Canes in 2017 as a fifth-year transfer from the Okanagan Sun of the CJFL.
Brydges earned the respect of his coaches and teammates and was an instant leader on the field for Holland College. His game-breaking abilities on offense and special teams allowed him to make big plays week in and week out. He would be named an AFL all-star in 2017.
Following his time with the Hurricanes, Cole went on to coach at his hometown high school. He continues to play in the Alberta Senior Football League.
2018 season | Matthew-Uriah Kaye-Mitchell
Originally from Toronto, Ontario, Matthew-Uriah Kaye-Mitchell made the move to PEI to take the Sport and Recreation Management program at Holland College.
In 2018, the receiver was named the AFL Rookie of the Year and was also named an AFL All-Star. In 2019, he followed this up with another AFL All-Star season.
After his two seasons with the Hurricanes, Kaye-Mitchell played with the Okanagan Sun of the CJFL for one season, followed by a season with the Prince George Kodiaks.
Matthew-Uriah currently plays in USports with the York University Lions (Toronto, ON) where he starts at boundary corner.
What’s next for Matthew-Uriah?
“The goal is to get a combine invite for next year and test my chances at the CFL”.
Kaye-Mitchell currently gives back to his community by coaching receivers, defensive backs and kickers for the Toronto Jr. Argos U16 team, something he has done for the last four years.
2019 season | Jack Malo
Jack began his studies at Holland College in 2018 studying in the Kinesiology program. He was a crucial member of the ‘Canes roster for the 2018 and 2019 seasons as the free safety, as well as the punt and kick returner.
“I had an interesting time at Holland College and made many lifelong friends.”
He was named a defensive back all-star in 2019, as well as the AFL Special Teams Player of the Year.
Upon completing his time at Holland College, Jack went on to play USports at Acadia University (Wolfville, Nova Scotia). He went on to play with the Axemen for four years, with the highlight of his university career being named the Acadia MVP after the 2023 season.
Malo is currently transitioning from life as a football player and working in the trades industry, starting the next chapter of his life after school and football.
2021 season | Christian Desreux
The first ever Islander to win the Hilton Memorial Trophy is Cornwall native, Christian Desreux.
Desreux was the go-to running back for both the 2021 and 2022 seasons while studying in the Kinesiology program at Holland College.
In 2021 he was named a running back all-star, as well as the AFL Rookie of the Year. He followed this up by being named an all-star again in 2022.
After the 2022 school year, Christian transitioned to USports, being recruited to the University of Ottawa to become a running back with the GeeGees.
Christian will once again be a part of the Ottawa GeeGees roster for 2024.
2022 season | Joseph Bertram
Originally from Hunter River, PEI, Bertram played for the Hurricanes for one season. He was named an AFL all-star at the linebacker position in 2022.
Being a hard-hitting and versatile linebacker, Bertram also saw reps across multiple positions on the defense.
Following his season with the ‘Canes, Bertram moved to Prince George, British Columbia where he is playing in the CJFL for the Prince George Kodiaks. 2024 will be his second season with the club.
2023 season | Mitchel Spence
Before becoming a Hurricane, Mitchel Spence spent four years in the CJFL as a member of the London Beefeaters. There, he won two Ontario conference championships, and was named a league All-Star. He had the opportunity to play in both the Canadian Bowl, and the Canadian Bowl semi-finals on two separate occasions.
“After my time in the CJFL, I still wanted to play football and was fortunate enough to get connected with Zach Davidson who made my decision to come to Holland an easy one.”
While studying at Holland College, and playing for the Hurricanes, he mainly played as a wide receiver but also took reps at other positions, leading the team in 2023. He was recognized by being named an AFL All-Star.
“Even through our record didn’t show success, there was a lot of things that my teammates, the program, and the school itself can cherish about last season, and I’ll forever be grateful for my time spent in Charlottetown. The saying “once a Hurricane, always a Hurricane”, is definitely true”.
After the 2023-24 academic year, Mitchel returned to Ontario to begin working in the healthcare system. He currently also coaches his former minor team, the Varsity North Halton Crimson Tide.
“I’ll forever have the friends and people I met at Holland College and Charlottetown, I couldn’t be more thankful for each and every one of them.”
The Hurricanes are busy preparing for the 2024 AFL season; the teams 15th year since forming in 2010. The ‘Canes will open the season at home versus the University of New Brunswick (UNB) Reds on Saturday, September 14 at 1pm at the UPEI Alumni Canada Games Place.
Additional home games are scheduled for Sunday, September 22 versus the Dalhousie Tigers (week two), and Sunday, October 6 versus the Saint John Falcons (week four).
Season passes are now on sale in the form of joining the team’s booster club. For $99, members receive the following:
To purchase a booster club membership for the 2024 season, visit www.hollandhurricanes.com.
Connect with the football Hurricanes at www.facebook.com/canesmfootball, www.x.com/canesmfootball and www.instagram.com/canesmfootball.
For more information on the Holland Hurricanes, please visit www.hollandhurricanes.com, www.facebook.com/hollandhurricanes, www.x.com/hc_hurricanes and www.instagram.com/hollandhurricanes.
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140 Weymouth Street, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada C1A 4Z1
Tel: 1-800-446-5265 | Fax: 902-629-4239