2026–27 Canadian Ice Dance: News and Updates

[shutterbug]

Rob Brodie interview with Lajoie/Baker: 'We're really reaching for the stars'

That Lajoie is doing all of this with a new partner … it was something she surely didn’t expect coming out of Worlds in Prague. But it was in the days after their return that the split with Lagha occurred and while the party line was that these were simply two skaters who had decided it was time for each of them to go in new directions, Lajoie doesn’t exactly subscribe to that theory.

“It wasn’t planned … It’s a big and complicated story with a lot of emotion involved,” she said without elaborating any further. “I wouldn’t say that exactly, but I’ll say that I’m very grateful for the opportunity I got, and it’s really, really for the best. I’m really happy.”

 

[Sylvia]

2026-27 Skate Canada National Team - Ice Dance (announced July 6, 2026):
Marie-Jade Lauriault | 29 | Ste-Anne-Des-Plaines, Que. & Romain Le Gac | 31 | Laval, Que. | Scott Moir | London, Ont. [GP assignments are Skate Canada International & Finlandia Trophy]
Marjorie Lajoie | 25 | Boucherville, Que. & Jean-Luc Baker | 32 | Montreal, Que. | Marie-France Dubreuil & Patrice Lauzon | Montreal, Que. [NHK Trophy]
Layla Veillon | 20 | London, Ont. & Alexander Brandys | 21 | London, Ont. | Scott Moir | London, Ont. [Skate Canada International]
(plus 1 SCI TBD spot)

Lajoie/Baker and the 3 other new teams had a media day yesterday - In the Loop's skating & interview clips: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dam_57IRloF/
Alicia Fabbri & Marko Jevgeni Gaidajenko: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DanxywjR5x2/
Sandrine Gauthier & Paul Ayer: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaqKuyax5g4/
Hannah Lim & Zachary Lagha (not eligible to compete internationally this season): https://www.instagram.com/reel/DalZMqkBUEo/

AnythingGOEs' Lim/Lagha interview article (July 9): https://anythinggoe.com/limlaghainterview/
ETA (also posted in the Dance Hall thread) AnythingGOEs compiled Fabbri/Gaidajenko's quotes into this article (July 11): https://anythinggoe.com/fabbrigaidajenkointerview/

Team NextGen Ice Dance (announced on April 22):
Charlie Anderson | 20 | London, Ont. & Cayden Dawson | 20 | Oakville, Ont. | Scott Moir & Cara Moir
Florence Beausoleil | 14 | Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, Que. & Rémi Thibault | 18 | Candiac, Que. | Mylène Girard & François-Xavier Ouellette
Madelaine Breau | 17 | Coquitlam, B.C. & Kurtis Che | 18 | Calgary, Alta. | Megan Wing & Aaron Lowe
Kayleigh Chao | 15 | Brampton, Ont. & Jonathan (Ji Xiang) Ma | 16 | Brampton, Ont. | Matthew Doleman
Summer Homick | 18 | Tillsonburg, Ont. & Nicholas Buelow | 19 | Barrie, Ont. | Mitchell Islam & David Islam

July 17-18 is the NextGen Competition in Gatineau QC - Junior RD starting order:
1 ON Kayleigh CHAO / Jonathan MA ON
2 BC Madelaine BREAU / Kurtis CHE BC/YT
3 ON Charlie ANDERSON / Cayden DAWSON ON
4 QC Chaïma Ben KHELIFA / Julien LÉVESQUE QC
--
5 QC Florence BEAUSOLEIL / Rémi THIBAULT QC
6 QC Stella MITCHELL / Corentin CINCON-DEBOUT QC
7 QC Laurence BRIÈRE / Earl Jesse CELESTINO QC
8 QC Victoria CARANDIUC / Andrei CARANDIUC QC
--
9 ON Summer HOMICK / Nicholas BUELOW ON
10 ON Rilee EBY / Jacob STARK ON
11 QC Annabelle THÉROUX / Rafael GOSSARD QC
12 QC Audra GANS / Danil PAK QC

 

[Alilou]

Hannah and Zac talking about their tryout and skating together

Skating Stan on Instagram: "What was @h.annahlim and @lagha_zak’s first day skating together like? Hear what went through their minds that day 🌟 #figureskating #iceskating #icedance"

98 likes, 0 comments - fs.skatingstan on July 11, 2026: "What was @h.annahlim and @lagha_zak’s first day skating together like? Hear what went through their minds that day 🌟 #figureskating #iceskating #icedance".

www.instagram.com

 

[Alilou]

In all our excitement about the new teams for Canada, we've been forgetting about Peter Beaumont & Amanda Urban (her background is synchro and solo dance) and Nadiia Bashinska & Noa Perron - two more teams with great potential.

 

[Sylvia]

Posted in the previous thread on June 22, 2026:

New interview with Charlie Anderson and Cayden Dawson. No program announcements yet, but they talk about last season's programs, how they came to team up, how they feel about doing a waltz next season, and more.
www.ice-dance.com/site/new-team-series-charlie-anderson-cayden-dawson/

July 1:

... (probably FD) hint, today Summer [Homick] posted an Instagram story with a lift/choreo snippet and Evita in the background

NextGen Competition entries (re-posting here from the Kiss & Cry forum):

* = Listed on 2026-27 NextGen Team

Junior Rhythm Dance start order (Friday, July 17 16:15 ET start time):
1 ON Kayleigh CHAO / Jonathan MA* ON [N2]
2 BC Madelaine BREAU / Kurtis CHE* BC/YT [J9]
3 ON Charlie ANDERSON / Cayden DAWSON* ON [J3]
4 QC Chaïma Ben KHELIFA / Julien LÉVESQUE QC [new]
Échauffement 2 · 4 patineurs
5 QC Florence BEAUSOLEIL / Rémi THIBAULT* QC [N1]
6 QC Stella MITCHELL / Corentin CINCON-DEBOUT QC [new]
7 QC Laurence BRIÈRE / Earl Jesse CELESTINO QC [new]
8 QC Victoria CARANDIUC / Andrei CARANDIUC QC [J7]
Échauffement 3 · 4 patineurs
9 ON Summer HOMICK / Nicholas BUELOW* ON [J2]
10 ON Rilee EBY / Jacob STARK ON [J14]
11 QC Annabelle THÉROUX / Rafael GOSSARD QC [J6]
12 QC Audra GANS / Danil PAK QC [new] - his last int'l for TUR was JGP Bangkok on Sept. 13, 2025

 

[Sylvia]

Golden Skate's article on the 4 new teams -- Lajoie/Baker, Lim/Lagha, Fabbri/Gaidajenko, and Gauthier/Ayer -- introduced during Skate Canada’s Summer Showcase and Media Day on July 9, 2026:

Four new ice dance teams signal a new era for Canada

Four New Ice Dance Teams Signal a New Era for Canada Canadian ice dance will look dramatically different this season as four newly formed partnerships

www.goldenskate.com

Re-posting here from the Programs/Choreographers thread:

Layla Veillon/Alexander Brandys (CAN)
RD: "Innuendo"/"The Millionaire's Waltz" by Queen
Choreographer: Adrian Diaz
FD: Tron soundtrack
Choreographers: Cara Moir and Adrian Diaz

June 28, 2026 GS article:

Twelve Years, One Partnership, and a New Beginning for Veillon and Brandys

Twelve Years, One Partnership, and a New Beginning for Veillon and Brandys After more than a decade skating together, Canadian ice dancers Layla Veillon

www.goldenskate.com

 

[PRlady]

Rob Brodie interview with Lajoie/Baker: 'We're really reaching for the stars'

Everyone is being too Canada Nice here!

 

[Wyliefan]

AnythingGOEs has a new interview with Gauthier/Ayer.

For their rhythm dance, they describe it as “an energetic program” to Queen, starting with ‘We Will Rock You’. Ayer explained, “Looking at other music options, there were great songs but for the golden waltz restraints, it was like, just choose something that works. So the fact we were able to find something like Queen for a strong golden waltz, it’s going to be a highlight of our rhythm dance.”

Their free dance will be The Hunger Games. “It’s a different style for me that I haven’t done in recent years which I’m really excited for because, not only can we work on portraying the connection that we have, but the acrobatic side of things that our skating will bring, is exciting for both of us.”

Sandrine Gauthier and Paul Ayer: The Hunger Games of the Canadian dance field

Another team to emerge from the Ice Academy of Montreal is Sandrine Gauthier and Paul Ayer. Both trained at the school with their previous partners for the past few years. Gauthier previously skated with Quentin Thieren, announcing their split after 8 years together.“I stopped skating with my...

anythinggoe.com

 

[Former Lurve Goddess]

AnythingGOEs has a new interview with Gauthier/Ayer.

Isn't We Will Rock You in 4/4 time? How does that work for the Golden Waltz?

 

[Wyliefan]

It's a Queen medley. They must be doing the waltz part to a different song.

 

[jmtfti]

Maybe a sped-up "Somebody to Love"? It was used in the Ravensburger season.

 

[DORISPULASKI]

A good point from the Gauthier/Ayer interview:

Lefty ladies have an edge in the Golden:

Ayer said. He also mentioned an advantage they have with Gauthier being a left-handed dancer. “It works out perfectly for the golden waltz because the twizzle is on the left back outside, which is quite tough, especially with the timing.”

 

[dancing_on_ice]

"It's not our first rodeo": Hannah Lim and Zachary Lagha on starting over, together - Maya Bagriantseva

The new Canadian ice dance team sat down with mskating.com for their first interview since teaming up — on what stopped working before, the season they've chosen to spend at home, and the programs they're building from scratch.

mskating.com

A really great and in depth interview with Hannah and Zak about how they teamed up, their goals for the upcoming season and their partnership long term.

I was especially impressed by Hannah’s honesty about the way her partnership with Ye ended and how maturely both of them handled it.

 

[Alilou]

Rocker Skating interviews Bakerie:

- YouTube

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

www.youtube.com

 

[victorskid]

A new role for Paul Poirier - from Skate Canada on X - https://x.com/SkateCanada/status/2080355440056037776

We're pleased to welcome Olympic bronze medallist Paul Poirier to the Skate Canada Board of Directors.
"It’s an honour to take on this new role! I’m excited to bring an athlete’s perspective to the Board and see how we can help grow skating even more in Canada."

 

[manhn]

Just listening to the podcast with Baker and Lajoie. I am now old, but Jean-Luc is now hot to me. Also, the story is not that dissimilar to Deanna and Maxim, but Jean-Luc has an openness and directness that is refreshing. Skate Canada still has a third dance spot free. Any chance it can be them?

 

[tony]

Just listening to the podcast with Baker and Lajoie. I am now old, but Jean-Luc is now hot to me. Also, the story is not that dissimilar to Deanna and Maxim, but Jean-Luc has an openness and directness that is refreshing. Skate Canada still has a third dance spot free. Any chance it can be them?

A third? The entire field is wide open now.

 

[jägerbomb]

Jean-Luc is now hot to me.

You're late to the party. Get in line, toots.

 

[Alilou]

Bashynska/Perron RD snippets

Nadiia Bashynska on Instagram: "Sneak Peaks of our RD ✨ Having the most fun with our programs this year!"

534 likes, 17 comments - nadiia_bashynska on July 24, 2026: "Sneak Peaks of our RD ✨ Having the most fun with our programs this year!".

www.instagram.com

 

[Lili1122]

Just listening to the podcast with Baker and Lajoie. I am now old, but Jean-Luc is now hot to me. Also, the story is not that dissimilar to Deanna and Maxim, but Jean-Luc has an openness and directness that is refreshing. Skate Canada still has a third dance spot free. Any chance it can be them?

Jean-Luc said in two interviews that they want more time to be ready, implying Skate Canada is too early, and they'll probably debut at a senior B in late October because the timing of Challenger events doesn't work with their NHK schedule (there's no Challenger between mid-October and mid-November)

 

[Wyliefan]

Rob Brodie has a new interview with Lim/Lagha.

'We've just got to make the most of it'

Hannah Lim and Zachary Lagha found a new direction for their ice dance careers in each other, even if they have to wait to show it to international audiences

rwbrodiewrites.substack.com

Already, a sense of where this partnership is headed is beginning to form. While both agree it’s early stages in their growth as a team, they can already see what they believe will be the strengths of this couple.

“It’s early stages to specifically (say) what our strengths and what our aesthetic will be. But yeah, I think we’re really hopeful for the way we move, the way we will mesh together,” said Lim. “It’s already kind of coming together like that, very flowy and long.

“Our connection is something that we can definitely see as our strength, connecting with each other, and showing that to the world or to the audience. Yeah, I’m really excited about that.”

Said Lagha: “Yeah, you’re right, it is early. But I think we’re already trying to establish an aesthetic that I think is very clear in our lines and in our musical choices. I think another thing that will be our strength will be our chemistry and our ability to connect to each other. But it is early to say. We’ll see, but that’s how I tell it for now.”

 

[Alilou]

Sandrine Gauthier and Paul Ayer talk about skating together. Cute.

Skating Stan on Instagram: "Meet a brand new team: Sandrine Gauthier and Paul Ayer, an ice dance team skating for Canada!⛸️🇨🇦 Sandrine was previously partnered with Quentin Thieren. Together, they are two-time National Junior silver medalists and tw

89 likes, 0 comments - fs.skatingstan on July 25, 2026: "Meet a brand new team: Sandrine Gauthier and Paul Ayer, an ice dance team skating for Canada!⛸️🇨🇦 Sandrine was previously partnered with Quentin Thieren. Together, they are two-time National Junior silver medalists and two-time World...

www.instagram.com

 

[Theatregirl1122]

A third? The entire field is wide open now.

I think manhn was talking about the TBA at Skate Canada.

 

[Alilou]

Alicia Fabbri and Marko Gaidachenko SD to Billie Eilish, FD to Beth Hart "Caught Out in the Rain"

Skating Stan on Instagram: "Alicia Fabbri & Marko Jevgeni Gaidajenko are skating to “Caught Out in the Rain” by Beth Hart for their 2026-27 Free Dance! Alicia and Marko, a new senior Canadian ice dance team, announced their partnership on June 17 af

239 likes, 6 comments - fs.skatingstan on July 15, 2026: "Alicia Fabbri & Marko Jevgeni Gaidajenko are skating to “Caught Out in the Rain” by Beth Hart for their 2026-27 Free Dance! Alicia and Marko, a new senior Canadian ice dance team, announced their partnership on June 17 after skating...

www.instagram.com

 

[kwanfan1818]

I think manhn was talking about the TBA at Skate Canada.

I think @tony's reply applies to that as well. Lilak is the only team can't be in contention, besides the two assigned (Les Gacs and Veillon/Brandys) and Bakerie don't want one that early.

 

[Theatregirl1122]

I think @tony's reply applies to that as well. Lilak is the only team can't be in contention, besides the two assigned (Les Gacs and Veillon/Brandys) and Bakerie don't want one that early.

I don’t think so? It’s a third because two are assigned.

 

[manhn]

Sorry for the confusion, but I was more concerned about whether L&B would be prepared or not than whether Skate Canada would choose them or someone else. Not to the same extent, but had I questioned whether Piper and Paul would go to Kelowna, I would not even consider Skate Canada opting to select another team.

 

[Desperado]

No news from me but I really need to put out there that whoever unlocked Zachary Lagha’s social media personality needs an award.

Him and Hannah are always putting out fun IG content (maybe perhaps a little too much? ) and he still looks like he’s enjoying himself.

I’m simply bowled over.

Can’t wait to see what all the news will be offering us this year. Let’s go!!

 

[Alilou]

I think it was Hannah who unlocked Zachary Lagha’s social media personality

 

[clairecloutier]

Him and Hannah are always putting out fun IG content (maybe perhaps a little too much? ) and he still looks like he’s enjoying himself.

I'm starting to find it a bit cringe. (Then again, I am not the target audience for this stuff, LOL.)