2025–26 Canadian Ice Dance: News and Updates

[victorskid]

Article on Lily Hensen and Nathan Lickers who are going to 4CC:

Local ice dancers carry momentum into Four Continents championships

Lily Hensen and Nathan Lickers had an early indication this skating season would be full of twists and turns.

lfpress.com

 

[princeton123]

not surprised by Cincon-Debut/Celestino splitting up - they’re not really a physical match and she always seems disappointed by their results in the kiss and cry.

Briere/Leveque splitting is a surprise though - aren’t they a fairly new team? They almost podiumed at nationals this year and had a lot of potential

 

[Sylvia]

Laurence Brière, 17, & Julien Lévesque, 19 (https://isuresults.com/bios/isufs00120705.htm) are both listed on IcePartnerSearch as of today. They were the 2024 Canadian Novice Ice Dance champions, competed in 2 JGPs in 2024, won the gold at 2025 IceChallenge in Graz, and placed 4th at Nationals in Junior this season.

Briere/Leveque splitting is a surprise though - aren’t they a fairly new team? They almost podiumed at nationals this year and had a lot of potential

Three seasons together - their joint post today:

laurence briere on Instagram: "Après trois belles saisons ensemble, remplies de nouvelles expériences et de découvertes, notre partenariat est venu à terme. Je remercie notre équipe d’entraîneurs @api_danse pour nous avoir soutenus tout au long de n

174 likes, 17 comments - laurencebriere.14 on January 19, 2026: "Après trois belles saisons ensemble, remplies de nouvelles expériences et de découvertes, notre partenariat est venu à terme. Je remercie notre équipe d’entraîneurs @api_danse pour nous avoir soutenus tout au long de notre...

www.instagram.com

 

[danafan]

It's good to see Alyssa Robinson & Jacob Portz assigned to Bavarian Open. They placed high enough at nationals to get 4CC but were shy of the CTES minimums.

 

[Sylvia]

"The five-time national champions and two-time world silver medalists are preparing for what could be their last Olympic Games. CBC Metro Morning's Samantha Lui spoke with the ice dance team about their journey during a practice session at the Scarboro Figure Skating Club." https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.7057178

 

[Taso]

Article on Lily Hensen and Nathan Lickers who are going to 4CC:

Local ice dancers carry momentum into Four Continents championships

Lily Hensen and Nathan Lickers had an early indication this skating season would be full of twists and turns.

lfpress.com

Woah I loved their FD, great discovery from this event. Where have they been? So looking forward to them being at the big events from now now.

 

[angi]

Woah I loved their FD, great discovery from this event. Where have they been? So looking forward to them being at the big events from now now.

I highly recommend watching their other FDs from this quad, they had some of the loveliest, most innovative programs:

2022/23: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CafkrsfGaA8
2023/24: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOBUcg9o1Gs
2024/25: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZzJaG9KHQw

 

[Kateri]

I highly recommend watching their other FDs from this quad, they had some of the loveliest, most innovative programs:

2022/23: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CafkrsfGaA8
2023/24: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOBUcg9o1Gs
2024/25: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZzJaG9KHQw

Thank you so much for finding these!

 

[jmtfti]

I still love that Hozier FD and the fact that the step sequence is used as the big climax element, though it's also cool to see how much they've developed and improved since then. (Self-plug, I interviewed them back in 2022!)

 

[4rkidz]

Woah I loved their FD, great discovery from this event. Where have they been? So looking forward to them being at the big events from now now.

Fairly new seniors I think third season? Agreed I hope they get some internationals next season. He has wonderful presence especially on the ice!

 

[victorskid]

Yes, they have been competing internationally since 2022/23 but it was in Lake Placid and at ISU CS events.

 

[victorskid]

. wrong thread .

 

[danafan]

Beau Callahan and Valdimir Furman have ended their partnership and she is looking for a new partner:

Beau on Instagram: "Vlad and I have decided to end our partnership, I will be looking for a new partner. I am thankful for this experience, and looking forward to what the future will bring."

181 likes, 3 comments - beau_callahan_ on January 23, 2026: "Vlad and I have decided to end our partnership, I will be looking for a new partner. I am thankful for this experience, and looking forward to what the future will bring.".

www.instagram.com

They are a pair team and this is the dance thread.

 

[Sylvia]

I still love that Hozier FD and the fact that the step sequence is used as the big climax element, though it's also cool to see how much they've developed and improved since then. (Self-plug, I interviewed them back in 2022!):

Link (just in case people missed seeing it in your post ):

Hensen and Lickers Working to Make Their Move

by Jacquelyn Thayer. Cover photo by Danielle Earl. For many ice dance fans, the Lake Placid Ice Dance competitions in July mark the new season’s start. But with livestreaming unavailable for 2022’s…

www.twofortheice.com

I'll move @victorskid's post over to the Pairs thread.

 

[victorskid]

They are a pair team and this is the dance thread.

Blame it on lack of sleep

 

[victorskid]

A couple of Gilles/Poirier articles in the Olympics lead-up - I've chosen to post them here rather than in the Olympics threads:

https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/winter/figure-skating/piper-gilles-paul-poirier-olympic-figure-skating-ice-dance-9.7071915

Olympic Ice Dancer Piper Gilles Shares Update After Ovarian Cancer Battle

Olympic ice dancer Piper Gilles reveals she's 'cancer-free' two years after a stage I ovarian cancer diagnosis, reflects on her recovery and return to the 2026 Olympics

www.usmagazine.com

 

[fan]

Another Piper article https://torontolife.com/memoir/piper-gilles-memoir/

 

[Sylvia]

^^^ The above link: “A cancer diagnosis put my ice dancing career on pause. Three years later, I’m skating for gold at the Olympics”
My time on the ice has been shaped by my mother’s cancer journey and my own. When I compete on the world stage at Milano Cortina 2026, I’ll be skating for both of us
By Piper Gilles, as told to Teagan Sliz (February 4, 2026)

Gilles/Poirier article with fashion photos (February 5, 2026):

Olympians Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier Are Going for Gold

Ahead of Milan Cortina, the Canadian ice dancers reflect on artistry, athleticism and their 15-year partnership

thekit.ca

Article by Sarah Laing. Photography: Ted Belton. Styling: Santanae Luzige. Makeup: Simone Otis (Cadre Artists). Hair: Jason Lee (Cadre Artists)

Gilles—very much the emotion-led heart to Poirier’s logical head—jokes that “90 per cent” of Olympians “are questioning their life choices” in the stressful lead-up to their event, but there are glimmers that make it all worth it.