2025–26 Canadian Ice Dance: News and Updates

[Aaron MB Fan]

We should start building a list of skaters with Canadian citizenship representing other countries currently who may switch back to Canada with how wide open our Senior field is right now...

 

[Rafter]

Lily Hensen’s post implies she was the one who decided to split. It’s interesting because I always thought Lickers seemed the more talented of the two.

 

[my little pony]

who is most suited to skate with Deanna?

 

[skategal]

who is most suited to skate with Deanna?

Maxim. Get them to switch to ice dance pronto.

 

[skateblessing]

Lily Hensen’s post implies she was the one who decided to split. It’s interesting because I always thought Lickers seemed the more talented of the two.

Same with Pauls post, it implied he made the move.. And more interesting. Sandrine is up on IPS (Ice Partner Search) now, so maybe Lily + Paul?

 

[Wyliefan]

Hensen/Lickers have split.

That one I did NOT expect (and thought maybe was an April Fool!).

 

[Former Lurve Goddess]

That one I did NOT expect (and thought maybe was an April Fool!).

Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition or the breakup of one of Canada's most promising up and coming ice dance teams. Sigh

 

[Wyliefan]

The way things are going, maybe Anderson/Dawson and Homick/Buelow should consider moving up to seniors!

 

[Spikefan]

Paul Ayer just obtained Mexican citizenship. And he liked “Next Olympics for Mexico?” The plot thickens.

 

[Aaron MB Fan]

Paul Ayer just obtained Mexican citizenship. And he liked “Next Olympics for Mexico?” The plot thickens.

Skate Canada liked the post on instagram which seemed odd to me if he’s contemplating changing countries. We all know how they handled Firus/Soucisse’s switch to Ireland.

 

[victorskid]

According to Wikipedia:
"Ayer was born on April 6, 1998, in Calgary, Alberta. He is half Mexican-Canadian and speaks Spanish, French and English fluently."

 

[skategal]

Skate Canada liked the post on instagram which seemed odd to me if he’s contemplating changing countries. We all know how they handled Firus/Soucisse’s switch to Ireland.

Hopefully they learned their lesson with Soucisse/ Firus and will seek a fair solution to all.

 

[manhn]

Skate Canada normally just props up one competitor per discipline. And for the quad, SC put their eggs in Deanna's basket (not a bad decision, it resulted in the only World title this quad). P&P had some momentum early in the 22/23 season, but Piper's cancer diagnosis unfortunately changed things. SC does not have "sure things" this upcoming quad, but I feel fans are more optimistic? Let's see how IAM does with their first undisputedly number 1 Canadian ice dance team. Yeah, they had V&M, but I don't think that counts.

 

[Andora]

It would be too bad to lose Paul Ayer, as he seems like a talented guy who could be marketable. I wish he and Alicia had been a more dynamic team.

I'm holding my breath until we know Marjorie & Zach are continuing. I don't know if IAM will automatically give them better/more focus if they're Skate Canada's #1 dance team - I expect IAM directs their coaching where the money flows. And there's some teams with deeper pockets that could still overtake them.

 

[skategal]

Skate Canada normally just props up one competitor per discipline. And for the quad, SC put their eggs in Deanna's basket (not a bad decision, it resulted in the only World title this quad). P&P had some momentum early in the 22/23 season, but Piper's cancer diagnosis unfortunately changed things. SC does not have "sure things" this upcoming quad, but I feel fans are more optimistic? Let's see how IAM does with their first undisputedly number 1 Canadian ice dance team. Yeah, they had V&M, but I don't think that counts.

Yes they clearly had all their eggs in the Piper/Paul basket and let LaLa blow in the wind since 2024.

 

[Karen-W]

Lily Hensen is now listed on Ice Partner Search, for what it's worth.

 

[fan]

It would be too bad to lose Paul Ayer, as he seems like a talented guy who could be marketable. I wish he and Alicia had been a more dynamic team.

I'm holding my breath until we know Marjorie & Zach are continuing. I don't know if IAM will automatically give them better/more focus if they're Skate Canada's #1 dance team - I expect IAM directs their coaching where the money flows. And there's some teams with deeper pockets that could still overtake them.

Incentive payments. I have no doubt that some of the deeper pocketed have it written into their contracts with IAM that should they medal at some of the more prestigious events, IAM coaches could receive cash bonuses (no, I have no insider knowledge. But if my mediocrely talented kid put all of their efforts into skating and I was a smart business person, I know what I would do to try and get their busy coaching team to prioritize them…)