ABOUT

“Born and raised in the heart of central Alberta, Red Deer, I was always faced with the big dilemma of who to cheer for, the Flames? or the Oilers?!  Needless to say, whether it’s physical activity or those friendly Alberta rivalries (which exist on Team Icespire), sport has always been a huge part of my life and is a great way of bringing people together.  Growing up I always took part in all kinds of sports and activities from singing and dancing to rugby and volleyball, it was speed skating however, where I eventually turned all my attention.  I have been skating with my brother and sister since a very young age and was always very fortunate to be part of such a great club and community.  I had many cold days of training outside in the blizzards down at the golden circle with frost bitten toes but they eventually paid off when I made the Canadian team.  Skating has given me the opportunity to travel the world alongside many exceptional athletes including my older brother whose amazing skating abilities still inspire me.  The 2011-2012 season was an amazing year as it was my fastest so far and I was also able to finish my degree in International Relations at the University of Calgary.

“I grew up in Edmonton playing as many sports as possible. My parents were both Olympians; Mom in speed skating and Dad in hockey so my 3 siblings and I were very active. In the winters I played hockey, volleyball and I speed skated up until I was 16 when I decided that it was time to focus on hockey. I played for a few more years but after 2 seasons in Jr. B hockey stopped being fun so I got back into speed skating with a dream of the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. I was able to improve very rapidly under some great coaching by Mike Crowe and in December of 2009 I won my first World Cup medal. The Olympics were an incredible experience and it was amazing how the whole country got behind our athletes. I was happy with my performance (8^th place in the 500m) but it left me with a hunger to do more in speed skating so I committed to the next 4 year cycle with the Sochi 2014 Olympics in mind. In March of 2012 I won my first World Cup gold medal.

I realize that my journey has only been possible because of the support of numerous people around me and I want to give back through Team Icespire. I truly believe in keeping youth active in the community as a means for whole body wellness. If I can inspire just one child to follow their passion through this team then I will consider it a success.”

“I am a long track speed skater studying environmental science at the University of Calgary. I got into speed skating through my mom, who was a former skater herself. Getting off to a rough start, my speed skating career started with short track as a member of the Toronto Cyclones. I was never a strong short track skater – I blame my strong sense of self-preservation, but when my family relocated to Calgary in 2004 I found my home on the long track oval. Since then I have had the opportunity to travel throughout North America, Europe and Asia to compete at 4 Junior World Championships. When I am not skating around in circles, studying or traveling I am out playing in the mountains, flying my kite and hugging trees.

To me being a part of Team Icespire is the perfect way to give back to a community that has given me so much support and to share my journey as I chase that elusive Olympic dream.”

“I was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta. I started playing hockey at the age of 7 and although I was never the biggest or strongest, I was always one the fastest. When I was 13, after a Talent ID Camp at the Olympic Oval, I decided to transfer my skills to the sport of speed skating. After 6-years as a short track speed skater, I decided to switch to long track after fracturing two vertebrae in my back during a race – and I haven’t looked back since. During my time as a long track speed skater, I’ve travelled the world, representing Canada at World Cups and World Championships and most recently, I finished 16th overall in the 500 m World Cup standings. In 2011, I was named Alberta’s Junior Athlete of the Year for my accomplishments at the year’s Junior World Championship and World Cup Circuit.

I’m excited to join Team Icespire and give back to a community that has given me so much and share my journey with others.”

“I was born and raised in St.Albert, Alberta and was the 2^nd of 4 kids in my family. I always wanted to do everything that my older sister did and that is how I was introduced to the sport of speed skating at the age of 7. I was always involved in many different sports like volleyball, track and field and soccer within the school programs and in the community, as well as speed skating. My love for skating grew over the years while moving up from provincial, national and then international competitions. After high school, I moved to Calgary to pursue my goals in speed skating when I was 18 years old. Training at the Olympic oval and seeing National Team athlete’s on a daily basis inspired me to try and reach that same level. I was so blessed to be a part of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Team in Long Track Speed Skating for the 500m as an alternate.  I love all the aspects of sport and being an athlete, from the people that you meet, to the goals that you set, to the focus that you bring, to the lifestyle you live and the different levels that you reach.

I am so grateful and honored to be a part of a program like Icespire with the values that they stand by. It’s a wonderful opportunity to be more involved in the community and create long lasting relationships not only with children we meet in schools but also with business owners within the community!”