Skate Canada announces 2019/20 national team

[Elizabeth]

From: https://www.ifsmagazine.com/team-canada ... 20-season/

A total of 27 athletes, comprised of six men, three ladies, four pairs and five ice dance teams have been selected for Team Canada for the 2019-2020 season — an increase of four athletes from the 2018-2019 team.

With the retirements of Kaetlyn Osmond and Larkyn Austman, the ladies national contingent is down to three. For the first time in many years, Alaine Chartrand was not named to the team. Véronik Mallet, who did not make the cut last season, earned a place this year.

Stephen Gogolev, 14, has been named to the men′s squad for the first time. Gogolev is not yet age eligible for senior internationals and will return to the junior circuit for one final season. Gogolev changed coaches at the end of last season and is now training in Irvine, California, with Rafael Arutyunyan. Conrad Orzel, who turns 19 on July 11, also makes his debut on the senior team. He also made a coaching change and is now working with Brian Orser and Tracy Wilson at the Toronto Cricket Club.

Pairs skaters Lubov Ilyushechkina and Charlie Bilodeau, who announced their partnership earlier this year, were also named to the team.

Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje announced they would not be competing on the Grand Prix or Challenger Series circuit this season, but the Canadian ice dance squad is strong, nonetheless. Reigning World junior champions Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha, who will make the leap into the senior ranks this season, round out the ice dance contingent.

To earn a place on the national team, skaters must place top three in each of the four disciplines at the national championships, and/or be assigned to a Grand Prix event in the current season.

[fred]

I'm going to miss Kaitlyn & Andrew. Any rumours as to whether they are coming back after a season away?

[Elizabeth]

Here's the official announcement from Skate Canada with more information on each of the team members: https://skatecanada.ca/national-team/

Fred - Kaitlyn & Andrew said they would announce more on their future plans later in the year. I guess we'll just have to wait and see...

[fred]

Good enough. I hope to see them again, somewhere, somewhen.