While the renovations were a surprise to most, one thing was a surprise to all. Chen, standing at a podium at center ice, pulled out a plaque honoring his mother, Hettie Wang, and his Utah coaches, Karel Kovar, Genia Chernyshova and Stephanee Grosscup. The skater lounge, he announced, was in honor of his mom, and the dressing room was in honor of his coaches.
“Now there’s a plaque hanging there that these renovations were to honor them and their dedication to the sport and their inspiration that they gave to Nathan,” Thomson said. “One thing about Nathan is that he never claims to have done it all on his own. He goes out there and he skates, and it is all Nathan, but he always gives credits to those who are around him, whether they be skating friends, whether they be coaches or the skating club. Nathan always gives credit to those who helped him, and I’ve always been so impressed by that.”