The Almanac of Canadian Figure Skating

By Ryan Stevens

How much do you know about Canada's most exciting winter sport?

 

The Almanac of Canadian Figure Skating is a comprehensive book crammed with fascinating facts and figures, many of which you simply can't find online.

 

This compelling reference book includes:

 

- Biographies of hundreds of skaters, coaches, choreographers, judges and builders... including many incredible people you have never even heard of.
- Detailed records of Canadian figure skating competitions dating back to the 19th century, including complete results of the Canadian Championships from the early 20th century to the present day.
- Intriguing facts and figures about the governance and growth of Canada's most exciting winter sport.

 

If you love Canadian figure skating, you will be fascinated by the information in this book!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ryan Stevens
• Release date: Nov 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9781738768271

Ryan Stevens

Ryan Stevens is a former figure skater and judge from Halifax, Nova Scotia. For a decade, he has explored fascinating and fabulous figure skating history on his blog Skate Guard. He is the author of the skating reference books "Technical Merit: A History of Figure Skating Jumps", "The Almanac of Canadian Figure Skating" and "A Bibliography of Figure Skating". He has written content for "Skating" magazine and U.S. Figure Skating. He has also been consulted for historical research for numerous museums, as well as television programs on CBC, ITV and NBC. 

Book preview

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction    1

Glossary    2 

Who's Who In Canadian

Figure Skating    4

Governance    249

Membership    260

Shows     261

Competitions    263

Author's Note    749

Acknowledgments   750

Other Books    752

INTRODUCTION

Skaters who carved out intricate patterns on the ice of frozen ponds in corsets and glamorous hats. Coaches who taught the country's best skaters Dutch Waltzes and double Axels. Officials who gave up years of weekends and vacations to judge competitions and tests. Builders who toiled behind the scenes for decades to make positive changes in the sport.

Canadian figure skating wouldn't be what it is today without the incredible people who devoted their lives to leaving the sport better than they found it. This almanac of the sport's history serves as a record of their contributions.

In these pages, you will find short biographical stubs highlighting the stories of skaters, coaches, judges and builders, as well as detailed records of Canadian competitions and a few interesting facts and figures.

This book is dedicated to my amazing parents Paul and Kathy Stevens, who encouraged my sister and I to pursue our passion for figure skating, as well as all of the people whose names appear within for carving out space in the sport's rich history.

GLOSSARY

b. - Born

d. - Died

ASAC - Amateur Skating Association of Canada

BC/YT - BC/Yukon Territory (Section)

AB/NWT/NT - Alberta/Northwest Territories/Nunavut (Section)

CC - Country Club

CFSA - Canadian Figure Skating Association

COS - Central Ontario Section

EOS - Eastern Ontario Section

FSC - Figure Skating Club

FSCC - Figure Skating Coaches of Canada

FSD - Figure Skating Department of Amateur Skating Association of Canada

ISU - International Skating Union

MB - Manitoba

QC - Quebec

NB - New Brunswick

NCCP - National Coaching Certification Program

NF - Newfoundland and Labrador (Section)

NOS - Northern Ontario Section

NS - Nova Scotia

NT – Nunavut

NWT – Northwest Territories

PEI - Prince Edward Island

PSA - Professional Skaters Association

PSAC - Professional Skating Association of Canada

PSAG - Professional Skaters Guild of America

WOS - Western Ontario Section

SA - Skating Academy

SC - Skating Club

SK - Saskatchewan

WC - Winter Club

WPC Jaca - Campeonatos Del Mundo De Patinaje Artístico Professional Sobre Hielo (World Professional Championships in Jaca, Spain)

YT – Yukon Territory

WHO'S WHO IN CANADIAN FIGURE SKATING

ABBOTT, Frances Eileen (Gunn) b. 1932, Winnipeg, MB d. 2014-02-03, Vancouver, BC. Judge at the World Championships (1967, 1968, 1973). Canadian Champion, ice dance (1953). 3 time Western Canadian Champion, ice dance (1952, 1953, 1954). Dietitian by profession.

ABBOTT, Mary Eileen (Bulman). b. 1896-07-05, Winnipeg, MB d. 1980-08-09, Winnipeg, MB. Gold CFSA judge and one of the first 2 women to judge at the Canadian Championships (1951). President of the Western Canadian Section (1953-1954). Served on the CFSA Dance and Judges Committees in the 1950's. Member of the Winnipeg WC. President of the University of Manitoba Students Association (1918-1919), Women's Canadian Club of Winnipeg, Children's Aid Society. Served on the Board of Governors of the Winnipeg Art Gallery. Recipient of the Winnipeg Community Service Award (1975). Mother of Frances Abbott. Educator by profession.

AFANASIEVA, Violetta. b. Russia. Winner of the Extreme Ice Skating World Championships (2006). Toured with Holiday on Ice, Celebration on Ice. Performed on Royal Caribbean cruise ships, thrilling audiences with her hula hoop act and adagio pairs skating with partner Pete Dack. Competed on CBC's Battle of the Blades (2010-2020). Coach at the Skate Muskoka (Bracebridge) FSC, Thornhill FSC.

ALLEN, Stanley Lionel. b. 1921-10-16, London, England d. 2004-06-12, Woodstock, NB. President, CFSA (1975-1976). Vice-President, CFSA (1972-1975). Olympic Team Manager (1972). Responsible for a major overhaul of the Test Stream and Competitive Test programs. First Past President to resign from the CFSA, after a failed campaign to spearhead the organization of the 1978 World Championships. Children Patricia and Derry were national competitors in ice dance. Worked as a financial advisor for the Department of Transportation. Honorary Member of the CFSA (1979).

ALLETSON, Patricia Kim (Henderson) b. 1958-06-30, Brockville, ON. Canadian Champion, junior women (1974). Olympian (1976). Eastern Divisional Champion (1975). Represented Canada at the World Championships (1975, 1976). Coach at Minto SC, Fredericton SC. Honorary and Life Member of Minto SC. Lawyer by profession.

ALMON, James Colquhoun Cogswell. b. 1868-03-29, Halifax, NS d. 1942-06-20, Montreal, QC. First person to serve as Honorary Secretary/Treasurer, FSD of the ASAC (1914-1920). Responsible for the publication of the first Canadian handbook covering figures, tests and rules for holding competitions. Member of the Montreal WC. Worked as Registrar for the Bank of Montreal.

ANDERSON, Mary Elizabeth 'Bonnie'. b. 1946-04-18, Toronto, ON d.

2008-12-20, Toronto, ON. Canadian Champion, fours (1964).

ARNAUD, Gordon Brooks. b. 1886-03-17, Annapolis Royal, NS d. 1969-08-12, Stedham, England. Secretary/Treasurer, CFSA (1923-1932).

ANNABLE, Marjorie Ruth (Wyckoff) b. 1904-09-23, Montreal, QC d. 1969-02-04, Sewickley, PA. Canadian Champion, pairs (1923). Winner of QC Provincial Championships in women's golf (1924, 1925). Husband was Vice-President of Wyckoff Steel Company.

ARIAN, Walter. b. 1906-11-05, Vienna, Austria d. 1953-01-16, Toronto, ON. Coach at the Toronto SC, in the U.S. and England. Revitalized Toronto SC's carnivals by bringing in ballet master Boris Volkoff to stage ice ballets. Worked with a who's who of Canadian figure skating, including Constance and Montgomery Wilson, Osborne Colson, Ralph McCreath and Norah McCarthy, as well as Americans Hayes and David Jenkins. Founding member and President (1940-1948) of American Skaters Guild. Chair of the PSAG (1950). Inventor of the Canadian Tango compulsory dance (1942). Emigrated to Canada in 1934.

ARCHETTO, Patrice. b. 1972-12-03, Montreal, PQ. Canadian Champion, junior pairs (1995). Medallist at the Four Continents Championships (2002). Olympian (2002). Represented Canada at 3 World Championships (2002, 2003, 2004). Eastern Divisional Champion (2000). QC Champion (1995). Coach at Regroupement Élite de Patinage Artistique de Montréal, CPA Odyssée de La Plaine. Worked in shipping department at David Brown Santasalo.

AUSTIN, Madge (Saunders). b. 1909-12-04, London, England. British Open Professional Pairs Champion (1935, 1936). Coach at the Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club, Granite Club, London SC, Stratford FSC, Porcupine SC, Schumacher Summer School, as well as in England. Co-founder of Canada's first summer skating school in Kitchener, ON (1940). Dancer before taking up figure skating. Students included Marilyn Ruth Take, Floraine Ducharme and Wally Distelmeyer, Doreen Dutton, Beryl Goodman Williamson and British Champion Michael Booker. Left Canada at the end of World War II, opened a skating school in London and retired in Mallorca, Spain.

AUSTMAN, Larkyn. b. 1998-02-22, New Westminster, BC. Canadian Champion, junior women (2013). Olympian (2018). BC Champion (2014, 2016, 2019). Recipient of Coquitlam Senior Athlete of the Year Award (2017, 2018).

BAIER, Sherri. Canadian Champion, pairs (1978), novice pairs (1975). With partner Robin Cowan, first Canadians to win a gold medal at the World Junior Championships (1976) - in their first international competition. Represented Canada at 2 World Championships (1977, 1978). Central Divisional and Western Ontario Champion, pairs (1978). Inducted to the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame (2000), WOS Hall of Fame (2017).

BALDÉ, Elladj. b. 1990-11-09, Moscow, Russia. Canadian Champion, junior men (2008). Represented Canada at the World Championships (2014), 2 Four Continents Championships (2013, 2014) and 2 World Junior Championships (2008, 2009). Toured with Stars on Ice. Co-founder of the Figure Skating Diversity and Inclusion Alliance and advocate for BIPOC skaters. Founder of Skate Global Foundation. Choreographer and judge for CBC's Battle of the Blades. Social media star with millions of views on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Digital Host for Skate Canada. Set Guinness World Record for the most people back flipped over on ice skates (2022).

BALISCH, Alexander 'Alex'. b. 1921-09-11, Vienna, Austria d. 1993-04-23, St. John's, NF. After touring with the Wiener Eisrevue, emigrated to Canada and made a major impact on skating in Atlantic Canada in the 1960's, serving as head coach at the Halifax SC, Prince of Wales FSC and in St. John's, NF and several NB clubs. Worked as an Associate Professor in the History Department at the Memorial University of NF.

BALL, Sherry. b. 1974-02-15, St. Thomas, QC. Eastern Divisional Champion, women (1992), pairs (1991, 1992). Canadian Champion, novice pairs (1989). QC Champion, women (1992). Olympian (1992). Represented Canada at the World Championships (1992). With partner Kris Wirtz, first Canadian pair to land back-to-back triple toe-loop's at the Winter Olympic Games.

BALL, Stacey. b. 1973-11-25, St. Thomas, QC. Canadian Champion, fours (1991, 1992), novice pairs (1987). Represented Canada at the World Championships (1991). Atlantic Divisional Champion, pairs (1991). QC Champion, women (1991), pairs (1991).

BANGS, Chauncey Robert. b. 1901-02-28, Ottawa, ON d. 1942-01-27, Ottawa, ON. Canadian Champion, pairs (1927, 1928, 1931). North American Champion, pairs (1927). Represented Canada at the 1932 Winter Olympic Games and World Championships. Involved with the management of the Minto SC in the 1930's. Manager of the C.W. Bangs Coal Company. Tennis and golf enthusiast.

BAPTIE, Norval. b. 1879-03-18, Bethany, ON d. 1966-11-26, Baltimore, MD. Champion speed skater who set numerous records and won the Senior Speed Skating Championship of the Northwest. Pioneer of the travelling ice revue who 'barnstormed' through Canada and the U.S. performing a one-man show that featured figure and speed skating, barrel jumping and stilt skating. With pairs partner Gladys Lamb, star of ice revues in numerous U.S. hotels and nightclubs, including the Hotel Winton in OH, College Inn in IL and Healy's Golden Glades and Hotel New Yorker in NY. Coach at several U.S. clubs, even after losing both legs as a result of complications of diabetes. Inducted to Canada's Sports Hall of Fame (1963), Ice Skating Institute Hall of Fame (1963), National Speed Skating Hall of Fame (1965).

BARABÉ, Annie. Coach at the Club de patinage artistique de Sept-Îles, Club de patinage artistique de St-Bruno. Started teaching skating at the age of seventeen. Students included Cynthia Phaneuf, Shawn Sawyer, Jessica Dubé and Bryce Davison and Véronik Mallet. Recipient of the Skate Canada Coach of the Year Award (2008). Inducted to the Sorel-Tracy Sports Hall of Fame (2015).

BARCLAY, Marguerite 'Margot' (Wilkins) b. 1905-08-05, Montreal, QC d. 1996-09-11, Kennebunkport, ME. Canadian Champion, women (1928). Medallist at the Canadian Championships in pairs (1924) and fours (1927). Producer of skating carnivals at the Montreal WC. Served as a judge after her competitive career. Captain of the 8th Montreal Company of Girl Guides. Honorary Life Member of the Kennebunk River Club, Montreal Ladies Tennis and Badminton Club, Montreal Badminton and Squash Club.

BARKELL, Lee. Canadian Champion, junior pairs (1986). Coach at the Mariposa School of Skating, Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club, Granite Club. Worked with a who's who of Canadian figure skating, including Jeffrey Buttle, Meagan Duhamel, Gabby Daleman, Annabelle Langlois and Cody Hay, Michelle Menzies and Jean-Michel Bombardier, Roman Sadovsky, Jacinthe Larivière and Lenny Faustino and Stephen Gogolev, as well as international skaters like Alysa Liu, Satoko Miyahara and Nobunari Oda. Recipient of COS's Competitive Coach of Excellence Award (2002, 2006), Sport Alliance of Ontario Male Coach of the Year Award (2005, 2006), Petro-Canada Coaching Excellence Award (2008, 2017), Skate Canada Competitive Coach/Choreographer Award of Excellence (2017). Inducted to Skate Canada Hall of Fame (2019).

BARNES, Jodi Grace (Klimkin). b. 1971-03-09, Vancouver, BC. Canadian Champion, fours (1993). Represented Canada in pairs at the 1987 World Junior Championships. Toured with Holiday on Ice, Disney on Ice. Coach in the United States. Married to European Medallist Ilia Klimkin. U.S. Figure Skating Technical Specialist in pairs.

BARNETT, Shelley (Simonton). Coach at Burlington Skating Centre, Windsor SC, South Windsor SC. Founder and Coach of NEXXICE, winners of the 2009 and 2015 World Synchro Skating Championships and numerous Canadian Championships. Toured with Disney on Ice. Recipient of Petro-Canada Coaching Excellence Award (2007, 2013, 2017), WOS Competitive Coach Award of Excellence (2015). Inducted to WOS Hall of Fame (2013), Skate Canada Hall of Fame alongside her team's members (2015), Chatham Sports Hall of Fame (2022).

BARTON, Ted. b. 1955, Auckland, New Zealand. Canadian Champion, junior men (1973). Canadian Professional Champion (1981). Medallist at WPC Jaca (1978). Western Divisional Champion (1975, 1976). BC Champion (1975, 1976). Toured with Ice Follies and appeared in Toller Cranston's TV special Strawberry Ice. Served as Executive Director and Technical Director of BC/YT Section. Played an instrumental role in securing sponsorship for the BC Centre of Excellence. Producer of video playback software and other educational tools for ISU skating judges. Served on ad-hoc ISU Committee that developed IJS, a replacement for the 6.0 Judging System. Commentator for ISU's coverage of international figure skating events on live streams, social media. Inducted to BC Sports Hall of Fame (2008),

BATCHELOR, Erica. b. 1933-08-10, Poole, England. Medallist at the World (1954) and European (1953, 1954, 1955, 1956) Championships. Olympian (1956). British Champion (1957). First person to hold Gold Figure medals in the United States, Canada, Great Britain and Italy. Competed in 2 Canadian Championships while living in Calgary, AB with her parents Eric and Vera, who were both skating coaches. Appeared in British ice pantomimes and taught skating in South Africa.

BAUSBACK, Emily. b. 2002-07-24, Vancouver, BC. Canadian Champion, women (2020). Represented Canada at the Four Continents Championships (2020) and World Championships (2021). First Canadian senior women's champion from BC since 1973. Career was cut short due to injury sustained during a shortened training regimen during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recipient of the Champs International Skating Recognition Award (2022).

BEACOM, Gary. b. 1960-02-23, Calgary, AB. Canadian Champion, junior men (1977). Olympian (1984). Represented Canada at 2 World Championships (1983, 1984). 3 time winner of the senior men's compulsory figures at the Canadian Championships. Winner of WPC Jaca (1988), U.S. Open (1988). Winner of the ISU's Adult International Competition in Oberstdorf, Germany (2016, 2017, 2018). Toured with Torvill and Dean tour, Stars On Ice, Champions On Ice, Skating, CFSA Champions on Ice, Elvis Tour Of Champions, Josée Chouinard's Farewell Tour. Worked as a choreographer and conducted numerous seminars for skaters in North America, Europe and Asia. Innovative skater known for his creative choreography and choice to improvise his programs in professional events. Innovations included a 22 minute program, a performance set to bird call recordings and pairs programs with skates on both feet and hands with Gia Guddat. Author of Apology (2003) and Gary Beacom's Vade Mecum (2006).

BEAMENT, George Edwin 'Ted' b. 1908-04-12, Ottawa, ON d. 2005-09-08, Ottawa, ON. Canadian Champion, fours (1930). Brigadier with the Canadian Army, serving in The Battle of Normandy in World War II and as the President of Khaki University. Lawyer by profession. Long-time member of the Minto SC. Recipient of the Governor General's Medal (1929), Dutch Liberation Medal (2001), Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee Medal (2002). Inducted as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (1943), Order of Canada (1987).

BECKMAN, Shirley Grace. b. 1935-04-06, Halifax, NS d. 2022-08-27, Halifax, NS. After an injury cut short a promising skating career, became a judge. Judged numerous competitions throughout Atlantic Canada and was the first NS official to receive a 50 year pin for their service to skating. NS's Team Leader at the 1975 Canada Winter Games. Assistant Technical Chair for the Canadian Championships (1981). Lab technician, hematology instructor by profession. Recipient of 2 Sport NS Awards (1978, 1998), Skate Canada NS Officials Award (1999, 2004). Inducted to the NS Section's Hall of Fame (2017).

BÉLAND, Daniel. First man from Canada to win a gold medal at the World Junior Championships (1977). First French Canadian skater to win a gold medal at an ISU Championship (1977). Winner of WPC Jaca (1983, 1987). Canadian Champion, novice men (1975). 3 time Medallist in the junior men's event at the Canadian Championships. Coach at the Club de patinage artistique de Dollard-des-Ormeaux and Club de patinage artistique Saint-Laurent. Coach of Edrian Paul Célestino. Inducted to the Patinage Quebec Hall of Fame (1985).

BELCOURT, Paul Lafontaine. b. 1906-01-06, Ottawa, ON d. 1979-10-09, Cowansville, QC. Canadian Champion, fours (1928). Medallist at the Canadian Championships, fours (1927), junior men (1928). Served as Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Canadian Army during World War II. Great nephew of Canadian Champions Aimée and Ormonde Haycock.

BELLEMARE, Annie (Morris). b. 1980-01-02, Laval, QC. First Canadian to win a medal in the women's event at the Four Continents Championships (2000). Won 5 consecutive medals at the Canadian Championships and represented Canada at the 2001 World Championships and 5 Four Continents Championships. Member of Club de patinage artistique de St-Eustache. Served as Skate Canada's Communications and Marketing Coordinator.

BELLMORE, Nelson. b. 1943-04-05 d. 2009-12-11, Sault Ste. Marie, ON. Northern Ontario Champion (1957, 1962, 1963). Coach at the Schumacher Summer School, Sudbury SC, Copper Cliff SC, Espanola SC and Mindemoya SC.

BENNING, Denise (Reid). b. 1967-09-01, Windsor, ON. Canadian Champion, fours (1986, 1987, 1988), novice pairs (1984). Represented Canada at the Winter Olympic Games (1988) and 3 World Championships (1986, 1987, 1988). Toured with Champions on Ice. Coached at the South Windsor FSC. Event Manager with IMG, worked on the Stars on Ice tour. Inducted to the Windsor/Essex County Sports Hall of Fame (2003), WOS Hall of Fame (2015).

BEREZOWSKI, Barbara (Ivan). b. 1954-09-05, Toronto, ON. Canadian Champion, ice dance (1975, 1976), junior ice dance (1971). First Canadian woman to earn a top 10 finish in ice dance at the Winter Olympic Games (1976). Represented Skate Canada at 4 World Championships (1973-1976). Winner of WPC Jaca (1977). Toured with Ice Follies, Champions On Ice. Appeared in CTV's Stars on Ice and Toller Cranston's The Ice Show. Winner of Miss Toronto pageant (1975) and runner-up in the Miss Canada pageant (1976). Served as Chairperson of the Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame. Worked in municipal public relations and as a motivational speaker. Author of book Win At Life and Positively Sparkle! Founder of Widow Sisterhood, Widow Empowerment Masterclass.

BERNYK, Olga (Powell). Canadian Champion, pairs (1945), tenstep (1945). First skater of Ukrainian heritage to win a Canadian title. Worked as a typist at the McIntyre mine in Schumacher, ON, stenographer at the London Life Assurance Company and coach at the Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club and Aylmer SC.

BERTRAM, Louise (Hulbig) b. 1908-05-30, Toronto, ON d. 1996-10-18, Toronto, ON. Canadian Champion, pairs (1935), fours (1932), tenstep (1935). Medallist at the North American Championships (1935). Olympian (1936). Represented Canada at the World Championships (1936). With partner Stewart Reburn, dubbed 'Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers on Ice' and one of the first duos in the world to perform a program similar to a free dance in competition. Inducted to Skate Canada Hall of Fame (2015).

BEZIC, Sandra Marie (Ricci). b. 1956-04-06, Toronto, ON. Canadian Champion, pairs (1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974). Medallist at the North American Championships (1971). Olympian (1972). Represented Canada at the World Championships (1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974). World Professional Champion (1982). Canadian Professional Champion (1980). Winner of WPC Jaca (1980). Choreographer for countless elite Canadian skaters including Kurt Browning, Barbara Underhill and Paul Martini, Joannie Rochette, Christine Hough and Doug Ladret as well as international skaters such as Katarina Witt, Kristi Yamaguchi, Brian Boitano, Lu Chen, Yuna Kim, Tara Lipinski, Xue Shen and Hongbo Zhao and Jeremy Abbott. Director, Producer and Choreographer for Stars on Ice (1992-2003). Director and/or Choreographer for numerous skating tours, including Ice Capades (1983-1985), Skating (1990-1992), Skate The Nation (1994-1998). Choreographer of The Legendary Night of Figure Skating (1999), Canada's most extensive history-themed ice show. Choreographer for Emmy Award winning film Carmen on Ice (1990) and the 2010 remake of Ice Castles. TV Commentator for numerous international skating events for CBC, CBS and NBC, including 4 Winter Olympic Games and many World Championships. Co-creator, Executive Producer and Judge on CBC's Battle of the Blades. Author of book The Passion to Skate (1996). Founder of SMB Creative (2013). Nominee for Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography (2001, 2002, for Stars on Ice). Winner of Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography (2003, for Stars on Ice). Winner of 3 Gemini Awards for Night Moves (1992), You Must Remember This (1994) and Battle of the Blades. Winner of Rose d'Or and Light Entertainment Awards for Night Moves (1992) and You Must Remember This (1994). Named one of the Most Powerful Individuals in Canadian Sport by The Globe and Mail (1989, 1994, 2009, 2010) and one of 12 Who Made A Difference in Maclean's magazine Annual Honour Roll (1988). Recipient of Paul McGrath Choreographer of the Year Award (1992), Commemorative Medal for the 25th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada (1992), Vantage Women of Originality Award (1998), PSA Sonja Henie Award (2001), Factual Entertainment Award (2011). Inducted to Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame (1996), Skate Canada Hall of Fame (2010), World Figure Skating Hall of Fame (2018).

BEZIC, Val Nicholas. b. 1952-12-08, Toronto, ON. Canadian Champion, pairs (1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974). Medallist at the North American Championships (1971). Olympian (1972). Represented Canada at the World Championships (1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974). World Professional Champion (1982). Canadian Professional Champion (1980). Winner of WPC Jaca (1980). Real estate developer by profession.

BILODEAU, Charlie. b. 1993-08-06, Rimouski, QC. Canadian Champion, novice (2010). Represented Canada at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games and 3 World Championships. Silver medallist at the World Junior Championships (2015) and winner of the Junior Grand Prix Final (2015). Digital Designer and Production Coordinator by profession.

BLACK, Marjorie (Taylor). b. 1925-03-22, Manchester, England d. 2002-07-04, London, ON. World's and British Open Professional Champion, ice dance (1949). Toured with Ice Cycles. Coach of London, ON's The Supremes, the first team to win a senior Canadian precision (synchro) skating title (1983). First figure skater to be inducted to London Sports Hall of Fame (2008).

BLACK, Rod. b. 1962-09-28, Winnipeg, MB. Commentator for figure skating events on CTV and TSN for over 30 years, including numerous Winter Olympic Games, World and Canadian Championships. 5 time Gemini Award nominee for Sports Broadcasting. Recipient of Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee Medal (2002), Sports Media Canada Award for Outstanding Sports Broadcaster (2005), Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012). Inducted to Manitoba Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association Roll of Honour (2008).

BLAIR, Elizabeth 'Bet' (Machado, Clark Calhoun) b. 1901-11-21, Saint John, NB d. 1991-08-30, Portsmouth, NH. Canadian Champion, pairs (1924), fours (1922, 1923, 1924). Part of the first winning Minto four to win a gold medal at the North American Championships (1923).Winner of the Montreal WC's waltzing contest.

BLAIR, Gerrard Louis 'Gerry'. b. 1923-02-24, England d. 2005-02-25, Easton, MD. Canadian Champion, junior men (1947). Coach at the Minto SC, University SC, Silver Blades SC, North Bay FSC, Copper Cliff SC and at the Summer Skating School in Cobourg, ON. Taught for many years at American clubs in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Ohio and New Jersey and for a time owned his own studio rink in Allentown, PA. Students included Paul Tatton, a medallist at the 1954 Canadian Championships and U.S. Champion Tommy Litz. Avid sailor.

BLEAKNEY, George Maurice. b. 1902-06-05, Ottawa, ON d. 1995-12-01, Aylmer, QC. Canadian Champion, waltzing (1935). Judge at the 1940 and 1944 Canadian Championships. Winner of the Lady Rachael Waltzing Competition (1934). Member of the Minto SC. Life member of the Britannia Golf Club. Lawyer and activist of considerable note. Was involved in Quebec's Padlock Law case (The Act to Protect the Province Against Communistic Propaganda). Leader in the peace movement who fought for rights of people of colour in Canada. Went to jail to protest veterans rights to housing.

BLUNDUN, George John. b. 1907-10-03, South Qu'appelle, SK d. 1988-05-27, Calgary, AB. President, CFSA (1967-1969). Vice-President, CFSA (1965-1967). Judge/official at 5 World Championships (1970, 1971, 1976, 1977, 1978). Co-founder, Skate Canada International (1973). Chairman of the Figure Skating Committee at the Winter Olympic Games (1988). First Canadian to serve on the ISU Ice Dance Committee. Played an instrumental role in bringing the World Championships to Canada in 1972, including securing considerable grants from the Province of AB and City of Calgary. The unprecedented financial success of the Championships, under his Chairmanship, opened new doors for the CFSA. Penned ice dance manual for the ISU (1974). Served in World War II and worked as Executive Vice-President of a Calgary oil company. Arena in Calgary, AB named after him (1981). First Canadian to be an Honorary Member of the ISU (1980). Recipient of Glencoe Club Achievement Award (1970), Life Membership with the CFSA (1979), Calgary Sportsperson of the Year (1985). Inducted to the Alberta's Sports Hall of Fame (1976), CFSA (Skate Canada) Hall of Fame (1991).

BOHONEK, Stanislav 'Stan'. b. 1952-12-28, Prague, Czechoslovakia. Canadian Champion, junior men (1971), novice men (1971). Olympian (1976). Eastern Divisional Champion (1974, 1975). Central ON Champion (1971, 1975). Dentist by profession.

BOMBARDIER, Jean-Michel. b. 1970-08-22, Montreal, QC. Canadian Champion, pairs (1995, 1996), fours (1991, 1992), junior pairs (1991). Represented Canada at 4 World Championships (1991, 1993, 1995, 1996). Skate Canada Champion, pairs (1991), fours (1990). Atlantic Divisional Champion, pairs (1991, 1995). Quebec Champion, pairs (1991, 1993), junior pairs (1988). Toured with Skate the Nation, Elvis Tour of Champions. With Canadian Champion Josée Chouinard, father of Canadian Junior Medallist Fiona Bombardier. Coach at Kitchener-Waterloo SC. Founder of Celebration On Ice production company, Edge GTA painting company.

BOOKER, Michael Robert. b. 1937-04-16, London, England. Medallist at the European Championships (1955, 1956, 1957). British Champion, men (1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958). Olympian (1956). Represented Great Britain at 6 World Championships (1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958). Served in Royal Air Force during competitive career and was featured in posters and magazines under the byline What The RAF Can Do For You. Coach at the Winnipeg WC, Schumacher Summer School, Winnipeg Olympic Summer Skating School. Toured with Ice Follies. President and Company Director, Ice Capades and Vice-President of Ice Capades Chalet rinks. President, Ice Skating Institute (1979-1985). Responsible for the development of the ISI World Recreational Team Championships. Businessman by profession. Worked for Donald Trump in the 1980's on the revival of NY's Wollman Rink. Recipient of Ice Skating Institute Man of the Year Award (1984), Ice Skating Institute Lifetime Achievement Award (1993). Inducted to Ice Skating Institute Hall of Fame (1991).

BORLASE, Jo-Anne. Canadian Champion, ice dance (1990), novice ice dance (1982). Represented Canada at the World Championships (1990) and World Junior Championships (1983, 1984, 1985). Coach at the Central Toronto SC. Astrologer and author of Ice Burned (2021).

BOUMA, Elizabeth 'Betty'. President of the CFSA during its transition to becoming Skate Canada (1997-2000) and the first President from NB. Skate Canada board member for 18 years. Served 2 terms as President of the NB Figure Skating Association. Played an important role in lobbying the ISU to implement the IJS judging system. Represented Canada at ISU Congresses and served as team leader for Canada at the 1997 World Championships and 2002 Winter Olympic Games. Awarded Skate Canada's Leadership Award (2000). Inducted to the NB Sports Hall of Fame (2004).

BOURGEOIS, André. Medallist at the Canadian Championships, junior men (1982). Atlantic Divisional Champion (1986). Manager, Team Services, Canadian Olympic Committee. NextGen Director, Skate Canada. Performance Director for National Ice Skating Association (British Ice Skating). ISU Technical Specialist. Served as President of the NB Section. Technical Director, BC/YT Section (2003-2007).

BOURNE, Shae-Lynn. b. 1976-01-24, Chatham, ON. World Champion (2003) and winner of a total of 6 medals at the World Championships (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003). Four Continents Champion (1999, 2001, 2003) and first Canadian winner of the ice dance event at the Four Continents Championships. Olympian (1994, 1998, 2002). Canadian Champion, ice dance (1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003), junior ice dance (1992). . Winner of the ISU Grand Prix Final (1997, 2002) and over 15 medals on the Champions Series/Grand Prix circuit. First Canadian winner of ice dance event at Skate America competition (2001). Toured with Stars on Ice, Champions on Ice, Skate the Nation, Celebration on Ice. Competed on CBC's Battle of the Blades (2009-2010, 2013) and ABC's Thin Ice (2010). Freelance Coach and Choreographer. Worked with a who's who of Canadian figure skating, including Kurt Browning, Joannie Rochette and Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje, as well as international skaters like Nathan Chen, Ekaterina Gordeeva, Shizuka Arakawa, Sasha Cohen and Ashley Wagner. Recipient of Meritorious Service Cross (2000), Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee Medal (2002), Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012), Paul McGrath Choreographer of the Year Award (2019), ISU Best Choreographer Award (2020). Inducted to Skate Canada Hall of Fame (2007), Chatham Sports Hall of Fame (2008), WOS Hall of Fame (2012).

BOWDEN, Robert Norris 'Norrie'. b. 1926-08-13, Toronto, ON d. 1991-04-09, Toronto, ON.  Olympic Silver Medallist (1956). World Champion (1954, 1955). North American Champion (1953, 1955). Canadian Champion, men (1947), pairs (1952, 1953, 1954, 1955), ice dance (1952), waltzing (1950, 1951, 1952, 1953), tenstep (1952, 1953), junior pairs (1945). Winner of COS titles in Senior Skaters Waltz and Fourteenstep (1967). With partner Frances Dafoe, first Canadian pair to win a World title (1954) and first duo to hold senior pairs and ice dance titles in the same year (1952).  Made several technical innovations in pairs skating, including the invention of several lifts and the leap of faith. Judge and Team Leader at the 1984 Winter Olympic Games. Judge at 4 World Championships (1977, 1978, 1984, 1985). Through a letter circulated to member clubs, confronted the CFSA about many organizational and ethical issues, earning himself a ban from the Association for a time but enacting great change in the sport. Worked with Great West Life Assurance Company, as Chairman and CEO of Canadian Life Underwriters Association and President of Clarendon Cheshire Homes. Founding member of Centennial Nursery School for the Mentally and Physically Handicapped in TO. Died just one day before Order of Canada Selection Committee met to elect his Frances Dafoe as a member. Recipient of the Professional Engineers Association's Citizenship Award (1981), Martha Award for Volunteer Work done without recognition (1982). Inducted to Canada's Sports Hall of Fame (1955), Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame (1958), World Figure Skating Hall of Fame (1984), CFSA (Skate Canada) Hall of Fame (1993).

BOYCE, Jennifer. Medallist at the Canadian Championships, ice dance (1994, 1995). Represented Canada at the 1995 World Championships. Western Divisional Champion, ice dance (1997). Alberta Sectional Champion, ice dance (1997, 1998).

BRADET, Luc. b. 1969-06-11, Baie-St.-Paul, QC. Canadian Champion, pairs (1997), junior pairs (1990), novice pairs (1988). Olympian (1998). Represented Canada at the World Championships (1997, 1998). Atlantic Divisional Champion (1994, 1997). QC Champion (1994). Winner of the men's event at the International Adult Competition in Oberstdorf, GER (2007). Toured with Elvis Tour of Champions. With partner Marie-Claude Savard Gagnon, the first pair in Canada to attempt a throw quadruple jump (1991). Rink in Baie-Saint-Paul, QC, which is named in his honour.

BRADSHAW, Roy. b. Altrincham, England. Medallist at the European Championships (1971). British Champion, ice dance (1970, 1971, 1974). Coach at National Ice Dance Centre of Canada, Ice Dance Elite, Upper Canada FSC, North York SC, Glenoe Club. Director of The Three Seasons Ice Skating Schools. Worked with numerous elite Canadian ice dance teams, including Karyn and Rod Garossino, Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier, Jacqueline Petr and Mark Janoschak, Jo-Anne Borlase and Scott Chalmers, Kelly Johnson and Kris Barber, Jennifer Nocito and Brad Hopkins and Melanie Cole and Michael Farrington. Co-inventor of Midnight Blues compulsory dance (2001). Father and coach of Mark Bradshaw, Canadian Champion in junior ice dance (1995).

BRADSHAW, Susan 'Sue' (Getty). b. England. Medallist at the European Championships (1971). British Champion, ice dance (1970, 1971, 1974). Coach at National Ice Dance Centre of Canada, Upper Canada FSC, North York SC, Glenoe Club. Director of The Three Seasons Ice Skating Schools. Worked with numerous elite Canadian ice dance teams, including Karyn and Rod Garossino, Jacqueline Petr and Mark Janoschak, Jo-Anne Borlase and Scott Chalmers, Kelly Johnson and Kris Barber, Jennifer Nocito and Brad Hopkins and Melanie Cole and Michael Farrington. Co-inventor of Midnight Blues compulsory dance (2001). Mother and coach of Mark Bradshaw, Canadian Champion in junior ice dance (1995).

BRAINE, Hope. b. 1915-01-30, Folkestone, England d. 1943-02-07, Sardinia. Winner of the World's and British Open Professional Championships (1936, 1937). Talented 'trick' skater who excelled at stilt skating, barrel and hoop jumping. Toured with the Switzerland ice revue in New Zealand and Australia and performed in ice ballets in South Africa. Coach at the Glencoe Club, as well as in England, Switzerland and Australia. During World War II, enlisted in Royal Australian Air Force and served as a Flying Officer in missions in Shandur and Shellufa, Egypt but was reported missing, then killed, in a battle off the coast of Sardinia at the age of 28.

BRASSEUR, Isabelle (Marval). b. 1970-07-28, Kingsbury, QC. First French Canadian skater to win an Olympic medal and World title. World Champion (1993). 3 time Olympian and 2 time Olympic Bronze Medallist (1992, 1994). Canadian Champion, pairs (1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994), fours (1991, 1992), junior pairs (1985). Winner of the Rock 'n Roll Skating Championships (1995), Ultimate Four (1995), Canadian Professional Championships (1997). Competed in CBC's Battle of the Blades (2009, 2010). Toured with Stars On Ice, Champions On Ice, Skate The Nation, Elvis Tour Of Champions, Josée Chouinard's Farewell Tour. Coach and founder of a skating school in the U.S. Co-founder of B.B.E. Productions and the Dreams On Ice show, which raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for children suffering from life-threatening illnesses. National Spokesperson for Children''s Wish Foundation of Canada. Wrote books Brasseur & Eisler: To Catch A Dream (1996) and Brasseur & Eisler: The Professional Years (1999). Rink in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC named in her honour. Recipient of the Meritorious Service Decoration (1994), Patinage Quebec Skater Of The Year Award (1994). Inducted to Canada's Sports Hall of Fame (1996), Quebec Sports Hall of Fame (1999), Skate Canada Hall of Fame (2000), Patinage Quebec Hall of Fame (2000), Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame (2001).

BRAUCKMANN, Linda (Scharfe). b. Vancouver, BC d. 2010-01-11. Coach at the North Shore WC, Capilano WC, Connaught SC, BC Centre of Excellence. Taught more provincial and national champions than anyone in BC and was the first BC professional to coach a World Champion. Students included Karen Magnussen, Dennis Coi, Susan Humphreys, Barbara Terpenning, Patrick McKilligan, Tanya Bingert, Susan MacDonald and Neil Giroday. Also taught skaters in MD, NY and MA. Founding member of the PSAC, BC Coaches Association. Co-founded The Champion's Way Learn To Skate Program and CFSA national team training camp. Served on the Skate Canada Skater Development Committee. Inducted to the Skate Canada Hall of Fame (1996), BC Sports Hall of Fame (1997), BC/YT Section's Hall of Fame (2014).

BREMNER, Benjamin Armitage. b. 1851-03-20, Charlottetown, PEI d. 1938-12-29, Charlottetown, PEI. Winner of The Grand Skating Tournament (Plain and Fancy Skating For Gentlemen), the first record 'fancy' skating competition in PEI (1878). Partner in Bremner Bros. printing and stationary firm, travelling salesman for Carter and Company, singer, poet, author and historian of PEI history. Author of books Memories of Long Ago (1930), An Island Scrapbook (1932) and Tales of Abegweit (1936).

BRIAND, Ghislain. b. 1962-11-22, Saint-Michel, QC. Coach at the Mariposa School of Skating, Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club and numerous clubs in QC. Medallist at the Canadian Championships, novice men (1980). As a jump specialist, worked with numerous Canadian skaters, including Elvis Stojko, Stephen Gogolev and Sherry Ball as well as international stars including Yuzuru Hanyu and Adam Rippon.

BRISCOE, John. Manager, Provincial Programs and Sport Development for Skate Ontario. Technical Director, Western Ontario Section. Coach and choreographer at the Ice Academy of Montreal, Kitchener Waterloo SC, National Ice Dance Centre of Canada and numerous other clubs. Worked with many top Canadian pairs and ice dance teams, including Tracy Wilson and Rob McCall, Karyn and Rod Garossino, Michelle McDonald and Mark Mitchell. Worked with synchro teams for over 35 years. Team Leader at World Synchronized Skating Championships (2015). Central Ontario Champion, novice ice dance (1968). Recipient of the Helen Powell Award (2000), Petro-Canada Coaching Award and Longine-Wittnauer Coaching Excellence Award.

BRITTEN, Sébastien. b. 1970-05-17, Verdun, QC. Canadian Champion, men (1995), junior men (1990).  Represented Canada at the World Championships (1994, 1995, 1996). Winner of WPC Jaca (1998), American Open Professional Championships (1998). Toured with Skate the Nation. Trained as a dancer with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal, Maurice Lemay. Freelance choreographer for numerous skaters in Canada, the U.S. and Japan. Worked with Joannie Rochette, Adam Rippon, Nobunari Oda, Joey Russell, Ben Ferreira, Véronik Mallet and others. Recipient of Patinage Quebec Skater Of The Year Award (1994).

BROWN, Timothy Tuttle 'Tim'. b. 1938-07-24, Loup City, NE d. 1989-09-14, San Francisco, CA. Medallist at the World Championships (1957, 1958, 1959). Medallist at the North American Championships (1957, 1959). U.S. Champion, junior men (1954), novice men (1952). Medallist at the U.S. Championships, men (1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961), ice dance (1958). Coach and Choreographer at the Racquet Club and in the U.S. Founding member of the Canada Ice Dance Theatre. Talented concert pianist.

BROWNING, Kurt. b. 1966-06-18, Rocky Mountain House, AB. 4 time World Champion (1989, 1990, 1991, 1993). 3 time Olympian (1988, 1992, 1994). Canadian Champion, men (1989, 1990, 1991, 1993), junior men (1985), novice men (1983). First and only Canadian winner in figure skating at the Goodwill Games (1990). Winner of the World Professional Championships (1995, 1996, 1997), Canadian Professional Championships (1995, 1996, 1997), Canadian Open (1998), U.S. Professional Championships (1996, 1998), World Team Championships (1997, 2003, 2004, 2005), Ultimate Four (1995), Grand Slam Of Figure Skating (1999), Starlight Challenge (1995), Ice Wars (1997, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2006), Ice Wars: Four The World (2000), Skate TV Championships (1998), Battle of the Sexes (1996). Toured with Stars on Ice, Skate the Nation, Champions on Ice, Celebration on Ice, Art on Ice, All That Skate, Artistry on Ice, Celebration on Ice. Starred in TV specials Tall In The Saddle (1991), You Must Remember This (1994), Aladdin on Ice (1995), Snowden on Ice (1997-1998), Kurt Browning: By Request (2000), Kurt Browning: Ice Legends (2002) and Kurt Browning's Gotta Dance/Skate" (2001-2007). Co-host and judge of CBC's Battle of the Blades (2009-present). Flag bearer at the 1992 Winter Olympic Games. First Canadian featured on a Kelloggs Special K cereal box (1996). First skater to land a ratified quadruple jump in competition (1988). First skater to land a quadruple jump at the Canadian Championships