Kevin Reynolds is retiring

[danafan]

https://skatecanada.ca/2018/12/olym...in-reynolds-retires-from-competitive-skating/

 

[quartz]

Just popped up on my FB too - not surprised, but dang I've been watching him since he was 10? 11? It will be a weird Canadians without him.

 

[skatesindreams]

I'm sorry that his skating career didn't end as he wished it to.
Good luck to Kevin in his "next chapter".

 

[IloveFS]

I will miss Kevin...

 

[Colonel Green]

His attempt at one more season seemed questionable to begin with, and the early results unfortunately bore that out. Undoubtedly disappointing for him, but it’s good that he was realistic about it.

 

[WillyElliot]

I remember the first time I saw him live. He had quads but absolutely nothing else. A Canadian Timothy Goebel. I was surprised he's stuck around for so long. Was his coach that one who coached Sandhu and the Miracle Leung?

 

[puglover]

Sad to see Kevin retire. He was ahead of his time with all those quads. I really liked the programs he did with SB. He skated such a great long program in the team event to help Canada to their silver medal. Best of luck to him - and thanks for skating one more year showing all those beautiful curls!

 

[Habs]

Kevin was never my favourite, but I respected the way he worked hard. He clearly still had a drive to compete. His accomplishments should not be overlooked - 4CC champ, 5th at worlds, and an integral part of the Sochi team silver medal with an excellent free skate. Best of luck to him in whatever the future holds.

 

[marbri]

Always had a soft spot for Kevin. Good luck finishing your degree and wish you success in your future ambitions

 

[Aussie Willy]

Who can people now rag on about hair?

Good luck to Kevin and his future.

 

[carriecmu0503]

I remember the first time I saw him live. He had quads but absolutely nothing else. A Canadian Timothy Goebel. I was surprised he's stuck around for so long. Was his coach that one who coached Sandhu and the Miracle Leung?

If you don’t have anything nice to say, say nothing at all.

 

[puglover]

I mentioned his curls because I love them and am glad he showed them off this year. No rag intended!

 

[maatTheViking]

I will miss Kevin and he had some great programs over the years. I loved that he often followed his passions in his music choices. And all those quads!

I hope he is very successful in what he does next!

 

[Sylvia]

Kevin was never my favourite, but I respected the way he worked hard. He clearly still had a drive to compete. His accomplishments should not be overlooked - 4CC champ, 5th at [2013] worlds, and an integral part of the Sochi team silver medal with an excellent free skate. Best of luck to him in whatever the future holds.

From the end of SC's press release:

Reynolds is working towards completion of his degree at the University of British Columbia. He is expected to graduate in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations, with a minor in Japanese Language and Culture. He will be staying involved with skating as a full-time coach at the Champs International Skating Centre of B.C.

I have a lot of respect for Kevin, balancing his academic and skating careers like he has, and if he eventually decides to venture into other areas in addition to coaching, I will wish him all the best in those pursuits as well.

 

[WillyElliot]

If you don’t have anything nice to say, say nothing at all.

Meh. "If you don't have anything nice to say, come sit by me!" lol

 

[screech]

His accomplishments should not be overlooked - 4CC champ, 5th at worlds, and an integral part of the Sochi team silver medal with an excellent free skate./QUOTE]
Not even just 5th at Worlds that year... he got a small medal for placing 3rd in the SP!
He wasn't always my cup of tea, but his dedication was always very clear, and I wish him all the best moving forwards.

 

[jennysk8oboe]

Best of luck to Kevin! His music choices were always unique. Only skater I remember skating to British composer, Karl Jenkins. Loved that program.

 

[overedge]

I remember the first time I saw him live. He had quads but absolutely nothing else. A Canadian Timothy Goebel. I was surprised he's stuck around for so long. Was his coach that one who coached Sandhu and the Miracle Leung?

Yes.

 

[maureenfarone]

Wishing Kevin the best. Perhaps he will do some shows since he has quite a large Japanese following.

 

[overedge]

There's always some "what if, what if" when a skater announces they're retiring. Kevin accomplished a lot, and he really did work hard to improve the overall quality of his skating, especially in the last couple of years. But IMO he could have accomplished so much more with a different coach - a coach that didn't blame his poorer placements on politicks, the judges being unfair, etc. etc. etc. instead of using the feedback constructively.

It's good to know that he has plans going forward, and I wish him all the best in the future.

 

[Lara]

I also wish he’d had a different coach where he could reach his full potential. But a lot of skaters can only wish they had Oly silver and a 4CC championship. I appreciate his interest in Japanese culture (lucky him to live in Vancouver) and music choices - who else would skate to Chrono Cross or Final Fantasy? And for all the snarks his real-life anime hair gets is I’ll honestly miss it.

Thank you Kevin and best of luck in the future.

 

[peibeck]

I feel badly for those who hoped to see him at Canadian Nationals, but listening to his body and taking care of his health must be the priority and I'm glad he's listening to what his body is saying to him. I wish him luck in the future.

 

[Kasey]

Was never a fan of his skating, but he always seemed to be a hard worker, and a bit of a unicorn in choosing unique and unused/underused pieces of music. He has accomplishments to be proud of, and I am sure he will be successful in the future with his intelligence and work ethic.

 

[eusebius]

Best of luck to Kevin! His music choices were always unique. Only skater I remember skating to British composer, Karl Jenkins. Loved that program.

Yes! And I don't recall anyone else skating to Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers either.

I also remember him as a 12 year old winning the Novice championship. He looked even younger at the time and was unbelievably cute with loads of personality.

 

[Spun Silver]

He was the forerunner of the string-bean quad kings, he marched to his own drummer, and his going on to learn Japanese is very cool. He had a good run. All the best to him.

 

[jlai]

It is not possible for all skaters to end up with a good competition as his last. Nonetheless, Kevin all in all had a pretty good amateur career. He won 4cc, had gone to worlds and Olympics.

 

[Japanfan]

I remember the first time I saw him live. He had quads but absolutely nothing else.

I don't agree. Kevin found his groove in rock'n'roll and delivered some enjoyable, memorable programs.

And then there was that costume in which looked to be emulating a tree.

I also wish he’d had a different coach where he could reach his full potential. But a lot of skaters can only wish they had Oly silver and a 4CC championship. I appreciate his interest in Japanese culture (lucky him to live in Vancouver) and music choices - who else would skate to Chrono Cross or Final Fantasy? And for all the snarks his real-life anime hair gets is I’ll honestly miss it.

This.

There's always some "what if, what if" when a skater announces they're retiring. Kevin accomplished a lot, and he really did work hard to improve the overall quality of his skating, especially in the last couple of years. But IMO he could have accomplished so much more with a different coach - a coach that didn't blame his poorer placements on politicks, the judges being unfair, etc. etc. etc. instead of using the feedback constructively.

I'm sure he had his reasons for staying with his coach.

What matters is that he moves on the next phase of his life with no regrets.

 

[Frau Muller]

I will miss Kevin. Wishing the very best in the future.

 

[Marco]

I respect his work ethic and working towards being more musical / expressive, but I also can't fault the judges for scoring him down for his weaknesses. If only he / his team / his coach would focus on more aspects of his skating.

His hair is his icon, but I often wonder, is it distracting to jump or spin with that much hair directly in your face?!

 

[aftershocks]

Who can people now rag on about hair? ...

Well, it used to be Kevin and Jason! But that's a thing of the past now with Jason's shorn locks arriving at the Cricket Club. The new look serves Jason well. In recent seasons, some fans have tended to get a little bit pesky at times about Nathan Chen's hair styling preferences.

Anyway best of luck to Kevin Reynolds in all his future endeavors! You gave us your heart and your passion, Kevin, and that matters! To paraphrase Theodore Roosevelt's famous quote:

"[You were] in the arena [Kevin, your] face marred by sweat and blood [and tears. You] strove valiantly, again and again. [You've] known great enthusiasms and great devotions. At [your] best, [you've known] in the end the triumph of high achievement, and at [your] worst ... at least [you] dared greatly. [Your] place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."