2022–23 Canadian Men: News and Updates

[Dave of the North]

“As the next part of the selection process, please submit a 1500 word essay on why you think you would be the better representative for Canada at Worlds 2023. Please have this submitted within the next 24 hours.”

It seriously wouldn’t surprise me at this point.

Poor Conrad. Hope he gets the nod soon.

Don't forget the citations, they are 20% of the mark.

 

[puglover]

Meagan D. said she thought SC should choose whoever stood the best chance with the short program as the second man. I think that would still be Conrad.

 

[screech]

Meagan D. said she thought SC should choose whoever stood the best chance with the short program as the second man. I think that would still be Conrad.

I agree. Though Stephen had a spin voided, he skated clean. Even if he received points for the spin, he still would have had a score lower than Conrad, who had an error on a jump.

 

[Winnipeg]

And, it is not like SG has had a history of great skates IMHO. It should go to CO.

 

[livetoskate]

Here's Keegan's gala performance to Lion King. He's so entertaining- I hope he's invited to skate in all SOI shows. He's better than Kurt Browning, who I think is retiring soon.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtu.be

 

[Marco]

Hoping it’s just a delayed communication on their part and no more ‘part 3 to your challenge coming soon’

Like Homer Simpson would say, I believe there is still a swimsuit competition!

 

[Frau Muller]

Here's Keegan's gala performance to Lion King. He's so entertaining- I hope he's invited to skate in all SOI shows. He's better than Kurt Browning, who I think is retiring soon.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtu.be

Great program from Keegan…but looking at the almost-empty stands is depressing. A few nice loud yellers, though.

 

[Colonel Green]

Like Homer Simpson would say, I believe there is still a swimsuit competition!

I think Conrad has that sewn up.

 

[nuage]

Ravi’s Instagram story says Conrad has been officially named to the World Team. https://www.instagram.com/p/Cos1TYjvYhi/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

 

[Cant Skate]

Also here:

Ice Palace Figure Skating Club on Instagram: "Congratulations to Conrad Orzel for being selected to represent Canada at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships! Your hard work and dedication is an inspiration to all of us #proudclub #worldteam #i

74 Likes, 6 Comments - Ice Palace Figure Skating Club (@ipfsc) on Instagram: "Congratulations to Conrad Orzel for being selected to represent Canada at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships! Your hard work and dedication is an inspiration to all of us #proudclub #worldteam #ipfsc"

www.instagram.com

 

[Rhumba d’Amour]

Great program from Keegan…but looking at the almost-empty stands is depressing. A few nice loud yellers, though.

Not even Keegan can compete with the Super Bowl!

 

[livetoskate]

Also, that video was from a fan. I'm not sure about the gala, but they were only selling tickets for one side of the arena, opposite from where judges and officials sat.

 

[cygnus]

Great program from Keegan…but looking at the almost-empty stands is depressing. A few nice loud yellers, though.

A lot more tickets were sold than the stands show. Many of the all event pass holders couldn't stay for Sunday night- the gala was in the evening.

 

[screech]

The Skate Canada events assignments page has been updated as well. Kudos to Conrad - it was definitely well-earned.

 

[shutterbug]

According to this, and this, Matthew Newnham (Sr Nats 6) and David Howes (Nov Nats 1) have been assigned to Coupe de Printemps in Luxembourg next month.

 

[Sylvia]

According to this, and this, Matthew Newnham (Sr Nats 6) and David Howes (Nov Nats 1) have been assigned to Coupe de Printemps in Luxembourg next month.

Also William Chan in Novice, according to his club's post 2 days ago: https://www.instagram.com/p/CpBmUHqPTtn/

ETA: William won the bronze at Novice Nationals. I've created a competition thread for Coupe du Printemps in the Kiss & Cry section.

 

[screech]

Wesley Chiu wasn't perfect in the SP (LUCKY hands-down save on the first jump of his combo), but he's sitting in second place with 80.56, about 4.5 points behind Kao Miura.
I couldn't find Aleksa or Edward's programs on youtube, but per the protocols, Aleksa skated fairly well and lies 11th with 71.34. Edward DNQ for the FP, finishing 27th with 57.22, and per the protocols, had some mistakes.

 

[puglover]

Wow - Wesley Chiu looks so much more mature. Best of luck to him!

 

[pointbleu]

Wesley Chiu wasn't perfect in the SP (LUCKY hands-down save on the first jump of his combo), but he's sitting in second place with 80.56, about 4.5 points behind Kao Miura.
I couldn't find Aleksa or Edward's programs on youtube, but per the protocols, Aleksa skated fairly well and lies 11th with 71.34. Edward DNQ for the FP, finishing 27th with 57.22, and per the protocols, had some mistakes.

You can watch the whole event in replay on the ISU YouTube channel

 

[fan]

Chiu has talent. Needs a coaching change and way better choreo.
Ditto sadovsky.
And everyone that McLeod teaches.

Psstttt…Edmonton’s not too bad this time of year…

 

[skatingguy]

Chiu has talent. Needs a coaching change and way better choreo.
Ditto sadovsky.
And everyone that McLeod teaches.

Psstttt…Edmonton’s not too bad this time of year…

And Chiu's just down the highway at the moment.

 

[Karen-W]

Chiu has talent. Needs a coaching change and way better choreo.
Ditto sadovsky.
And everyone that McLeod teaches.

Psstttt…Edmonton’s not too bad this time of year…

He should just stay in Calgary. I'm sure Scott Davis might have some room.

 

[fan]

He should just stay in Calgary. I'm sure Scott Davis might have some room.

Not a bad option. Walia just has proven experience guiding someone to the top

 

[tony]

wrong thread

 

[pointbleu]

Chiu has talent. Needs a coaching change and way better choreo.
Ditto sadovsky.
And everyone that McLeod teaches.

Psstttt…Edmonton’s not too bad this time of year…

Aleksa… Has everything to succeed but not the right coach… He needs more edge classes, more speed… and the wheel rolls again for McLeod students.

 

[thumbyskates]

Chiu has talent. Needs a coaching change and way better choreo.
Ditto sadovsky.
And everyone that McLeod teaches.

Psstttt…Edmonton’s not too bad this time of year…

Chiu is coached by Keegan and Eileen Murphy, not McLeod.

 

[tony]

Chiu is coached by Keegan and Eileen Murphy, not McLeod.

That’s not what was being said; it was a list, including everyone Joanne teaches. Sadovsky is not coached by her, either.

But I agree with this list.

 

[Sylvia]

... Matthew Newnham (Sr Nats 6) and David Howes (Nov Nats 1) have been assigned to Coupe de Printemps in Luxembourg next month.

Also William Chan in Novice, according to his club's post 2 days ago: https://www.instagram.com/p/CpBmUHqPTtn/

ETA: William won the bronze at Novice Nationals. I've created a competition thread for Coupe du Printemps in the Kiss & Cry section.

The 4th man assigned to Luxembourg (March 17-19) is Vladimir Furman, Novice silver medalist.

 

[Sylvia]

Skate Canada's recap of Coupe du Printemps this past weekend: https://skatecanada.ca/2023/03/three-medals-for-canada-at-coupe-du-printemps/ in Luxembourg

Advanced Novice Boys
SILVER for William Chan | 14 | Vancouver, B.C. | Eileen Murphy | Richmond, B.C.
I thought (watching online) that William's basic skating was very impressive re. speed & power relative to his small size, and the judges gave him the highest PCS by far in the field.

Junior Men
10th place Vladimir Furman | 15 | Saint-Hubert, Que. | Marc-André Craig | Saint-Hubert, Que.
5th place for David Howes | 16 | Winnipeg, Man. | Kevin Dawe | Winnipeg, Man.
Thanks to @shutterbug for posting the link to this good Feb. 8th local article on "Davey" Howes (published before he won the Novice national gold medal later in February (I really enjoyed watching his expressive skating in LUX & plan to watch his Novice Nationals programs when I get a chance!):

Feb 2023: Wolseley figure skater wins gold

Wolseley

www.winnipegfreepress.com

Senior men
BRONZE for Matthew Newnham | 20 | St Albert, Alta. | Jessica Gosse | Edmonton, Alta.
Skate Canada tweeted this quote from him afterwards: "I am very pleased with how the two programs went this week. I wanted to feel like I accomplished feeling normal in an international setting and it felt very much like me competing."
Proud coach Ravi Walia (who stayed home to prepare Conrad Orzel for Worlds) shared this photo of Matthew after the medal ceremony: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp_sfBuLEsb/

Choreographer Lance Vipond talked about working with Conrad Orzel and shared some of his thoughts about his progress this season in Skate Ontario's #3Turn3 that was livestreamed last week -- starting here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4_Q9-_3IaY&t=1045s

 

[screech]

KEEEEEEEEGAN! I personally don't get all the fuss over Junhwan Cha, so I really want Keegan to replicate his 4CC FP and make it to the podium. If you are in Canada, his PB short program starts at about 4h30 here (Conrad is at about 35 min). The difference between 3rd and 4th in the SP was that he got level 3 on his step sequence. Sadly, he forgot to bring his phone to the K&C so no baby photos this time.

The FP will be interesting. You have Shoma, who pulled it off in the SP but is injured. Ilia who has the highest technical capability but struggles with putting two back to back programs. Jun, who's PB could have him up there. Keegan, who has the 3rd highest overall score of all the men competing (but rarely pulls off two great performances), and you can't rule out Jason, as his quality and 2nd mark can sneak him in there if the skaters above him falter.