2025–26 Canadian Ice Dance: News and Updates

[puglover]

Different teams represent superiority in different aspects of ice dance. Where I feel Piper and Paul have excelled has been originality and being themselves. Many teams struggle with finding their style but I feel Piper and Paul chose different styles and then made them unique and their own.

 

[Private Citizen]

As much as I loved to hate Bourne and Kraatz, I have to admit that they were incredibly influential on the sport. They'd do very well today under Code of Points. Bourne has also carried her strong point of view forward as a choreographer. For now, I'd still rank them second among Canadian ice dance teams.

As for G&P versus Wilson and McCall, it's a tough one because G&P did not have to compete against Russians for many of their medals. More inclined to call that a tie.

 

[manhn]

The historic nature of both W&M and B&K are hard to match and IMO, they faced both harder competition and circumstances.

It's hard for me to judge, just because I found this quad ho-hum. If Chock/Bates had won Olympic gold, no one would be able to convince me they are better than Davis/White.

Having said that, G&P should be viewed higher than D&L and W&P. Fourth greatest Canadian ice dance team is still pretty darn good.

 

[Andora]

Without B&K, there isn't the same influence on the sport in Canada. There probably wouldn't be V&M, W&P, G&P, etc. etc.

Wilson & McCall competed at such a different time, against such titans and the sport was so incredibly different. But I tend to find Tracey's influence as a commentator and coach will come to mind first, and there's less video of her and Rob available online to revisit.

 

[manhn]

Their 85/86 free dance with the four ballroom rhythms is one of my favourite free dances of all time.

 

[tony]

Fabbri/Ayer are done.

Alicia Fabbri on Instagram: "After nearly a decade of skating together, Paul and I are moving forward in different directions. I’m incredibly grateful for the lessons learned and the milestones we reached as a team. Thank you to everyone who has sup

alicia.fabbri on March 31, 2026: "After nearly a decade of skating together, Paul and I are moving forward in different directions. I’m incredibly grateful for the lessons learned and the milestones we reached as a team. Thank you to everyone who has supported us throughout the year, your...

www.instagram.com

 

[BlueRidge]

Fabbri/Ayer are done.

Alicia Fabbri on Instagram: "After nearly a decade of skating together, Paul and I are moving forward in different directions. I’m incredibly grateful for the lessons learned and the milestones we reached as a team. Thank you to everyone who has sup

alicia.fabbri on March 31, 2026: "After nearly a decade of skating together, Paul and I are moving forward in different directions. I’m incredibly grateful for the lessons learned and the milestones we reached as a team. Thank you to everyone who has supported us throughout the year, your...

www.instagram.com

 

[Wyliefan]

I wasn't expecting that! That Canada #3 spot was all ready for them to step into -- there are up and coming teams with promise, but no one below them was scoring on their level yet.

 

[marbri]

sandy on Instagram: "Hi everyone, I’m writing today to share that Quentin and I have decided to end our partnership. After 8 incredible years skating together, we’ve chosen to continue our journeys separately. I am beyond proud of everything we’ve

sandrine_.gauthier on March 31, 2026: "Hi everyone, I’m writing today to share that Quentin and I have decided to end our partnership. After 8 incredible years skating together, we’ve chosen to continue our journeys separately. I am beyond proud of everything we’ve accomplished since the...

www.instagram.com

 

[Wyliefan]

OK, wow, what is in the water in Canada??

 

[Aaron MB Fan]

Wow was not expecting these splits! I really liked both teams so sad to see them split .

 

[Karen-W]

Wow wasn't expecting Fabbri/Ayer to call it a day.

 

[marbri]

I am less surprised by F/A. They were seriously underrated by many, loads of negative comments about their programs, costumes etc... He is 29 from Calgary where I believe his family still live with an ailing father. She is only 23 from outside the Montreal area.

She is such a great skater that I do hope she finds that partner to help her shine.

eta
Oops, my bad. Paul's Instastory says he will also be looking for a new partner

 

[marbri]

Sandrine and Paul?

Now I am a bit worried for Alicia. Hope she doesn't go the way of Emmy Bronsard, brilliant ice dancer who never found a partner worthy of her ( oh the days I wished for her and Vadym to partner up )

 

[angi]

I think Canada is pretty cooked without F/A, I don't think any other team will even make the FD portion at worlds. That's what happens when Skate Canada has no real long-term thinking.

 

[Aaron MB Fan]

Looks like all 4 of them will be continuing on, but with new partners. Glad to see them continue, but it can be a tough path. When watching Nadiia and Peter skate on with new partners, it just made me miss both of them together and their magic. Will feel the same with Paul/Alicia and Sandrine/Quentin.

Bruce Waddell needs to finally give up being middle of the pack in Men's without the required technical difficulty and consistency to be competitive and get himself back into Ice Dance where he can shine! I am still not over his break up with Natalie, albeit she at least retired to go to business school at my alma mater. Bruce could be an interesting fit with strong, female potential partner talent available at the moment!

 

[marbri]

Are LesGacs retiring?

 

[Colonel Green]

I think Canada is pretty cooked without F/A, I don't think any other team will even make the FD portion at worlds. That's what happens when Skate Canada has no real long-term thinking.

The fed doesn't control teams' decision-making.

 

[her grace]

Are LesGacs retiring?

Don’t think they’ve said. The field has really cleared out so it would be easier to stay in top 3.

Vellion/Brandys could also have an immediate impact in seniors with this thin of a field.

 

[skateblessing]

Are LesGacs retiring?

I hope not

 

[angi]

The fed doesn't control teams' decision-making.

Very true, but they do control the opportunities it gives them and how much they contribute to their development, and I think Slate Canada is not making anything good in that regard since at least 2020, if not prior to that.

 

[marbri]

I really like Hensen/Lickers and find they have good programs.

 

[Former Lurve Goddess]

I sure hope the LaLas get kick ass programs and costumes next season.

 

[Colonel Green]

Very true, but they do control the opportunities it gives them and how much they contribute to their development, and I think Slate Canada is not making anything good in that regard since at least 2020, if not prior to that.

When there's only so many spots available on the Grand Prix (and at championships), options are not unlimited in that regard.

It doesn't really seem like lack of resources was the issue here, either. They had a fair number of decent junior/young senior teams, they've just ended up splitting and re-partnering.

 

[Karen-W]

Vellion/Brandys could also have an immediate impact in seniors with this thin of a field.

They really do have a very clear pathway at the moment.

I really like Hensen/Lickers and find they have good programs.

FWIW, they may be enjoyable but they're mired in the 40s on the SB list so I don't think they have much respect from international panels. I have to agree with @angi that they (and any other existing Canadian team) would have a difficult time making the FD at Worlds.

 

[marbri]

I sure hope the LaLas get kick ass programs and costumes next season.

Crossing fingers Zach bounces back from however he felt when the scores for their FD came up and they really look outside the box.
Because they both said basically the same thing following their drop at last years worlds that they did this time.

 

[marbri]

They really do have a very clear pathway at the moment.

FWIW, they may be enjoyable but they're mired in the 40s on the SB list so I don't think they have much respect from international panels. I have to agree with @angi that they (and any other existing Canadian team) would have a difficult time making the FD at Worlds.

Not surprising though. The list of Feds who get most of their teams scored according to their skill level is very very short and Canada is not on it and another is still banned

 

[angi]

When there's only so many spots available on the Grand Prix (and at championships), options are not unlimited in that regard.

It doesn't really seem like lack of resources was the issue here, either. They had a fair number of decent junior/young senior teams, they've just ended up splitting and re-partnering.

The US had 10 teams on the GP circuit, and Canada only managed to have 4. Not all of it is in Skate Canada's control, but I do think it shows that they can do better. And that's before we even discuss the many senior B, challengers, and other small competitions that Skate Canada sends no skaters to. In fairness, I will say that they did do better this season, but I think there's still plenty of room for improvement.

 

[marbri]

How much of that is down to money issues?
USFS must get much more money from membership fees etc compared to SC on membership numbers alone?

 

[puglover]

I hope L&L get more meaningful feedback at this point than change your programs or costumes. Why specifically are they getting lower levels? Why were their twizzles dropped? They seem determined to train hard and fix anything that needs to improve so come on IAM!