Alexandra Paul and Mitchell Islam Retire

[gsk8]

Press Release:

Olympians Alexandra Paul and Mitchell Islam Retire from Competitive Skating


OTTAWA, ON: Six-time national team members Alexandra Paul, 25, Midhurst, Ont., and Mitchell Islam, 26, Barrie, Ont., have decided to retire from competitive figure skating. The ice dance duo have been staples on the Canadian dance scene for over eight seasons. Paul and Islam represented Canada at the highest level of competition, competing at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, and at the world championships in 2014 and 2015.

“Skating has given me so many amazing life experiences, friendships, and opportunities I will never forget. I would like to thank our families, Skate Canada, COS, and our fans for always supporting our dreams and helping to make them a reality,” said Paul. “It is with sadness that we leave the sport that we love, but we look ahead with open arms to whatever the future may hold.”

Islam added, “It has been an absolute privilege competing around the world wearing the Canadian flag. We are so grateful for the unwavering support we’ve received from Skate Canada, COS, our fans and our families. We'd like to thank the incredible people we were fortunate enough to work with in Montreal, Michigan and Barrie. Skating taught us lessons that will serve us for the rest of our lives and given us experiences and friendships we will cherish forever. We leave the competitive side of the sport with nothing but joy and excitement for the future.”

Paul and Islam teamed up in 2009 and found success at the 2010 national championships, winning the junior ice dance title. They went on to win the silver medal the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships that same year.

“Alex and Mitch have been prominent members of our national team for many years. They have represented Canada proudly on the international stage and have been great ambassadors for the sport,” said Mike Slipchuk, High Performance Director, Skate Canada. “We wish Alex and Mitch the best of luck with their future endeavors.”

During their senior career they won bronze at the national championships in 2011, 2014 and 2015. Internationally they medalled four times, most recently winning bronze at the 2016 U.S. Classic International.

Paul and Islam are returning to Michigan in January to finish their degrees, they are both majoring in political science and both have plans to continue their education with post-graduate studies. They will stay involved with skating by helping out with the ice dance program in Mariposa School of Skating in Barrie, Ont.

 

[Alchamei]

What? Nooooooo. This team had enormous potential they never fullfilled. :sad21:

 

[Mathman]

Aw, I am sorry to see them go. I always liked this team. I hope they will have time with their studies and coaching to do a few shows now and then.

 

[SarahSynchro]

Oh wow, that's too bad. I wish them all the best in their future endeavours.

I wonder how much of a role Tessa and Scott's return played in their decision to retire. With V/M back and in amazing form, Piper and Paul gaining traction and steadily improving with each passing season this cycle, and don't forget Kaitlyn and Andrew who have two world medals since Sochi and overall have had much success (minus their unfortunate placement at last year's worlds), perhaps Alex and Paul were feeling that their chances at making the 2018 Olympic team were low. Piper and Paul have widened the gap between them and P/I, and the probability of P/I beating them at Canadian nationals like they did in 2014 is very slim.

Or maybe it has nothing to do with their reasoning and that's not why they are retiring at all, don't get me wrong.

 

[GGFan]

Oh wow, that's too bad. I wish them all the best in their future endeavours.

I wonder how much of a role Tessa and Scott's return played in their decision to retire. With V/M back and in amazing form, Piper and Paul gaining traction and steadily improving with each passing season this cycle, and don't forget Kaitlyn and Andrew who have two world medals since Sochi and overall have had much success (minus their unfortunate placement at last year's worlds), perhaps Alex and Paul were feeling that their chances at making the 2018 Olympic team were low. Piper and Paul have widened the gap between them and P/I, and the probability of P/I beating them at Canadian nationals like they did in 2014 is very slim.

Or maybe it has nothing to do with their reasoning and that's not why they are retiring at all, don't get me wrong.

I think it's a good question to ask. I'm happy that V/M are back and I believe that athletes should want to beat the best. But what about the downstream effects? Do you lose some skaters who think they'll never have a chance? This is not unique to V/M; it's a question that comes up when any champion sticks around or comes back.

 

[4everchan]

as i have posted in the retirement thread, P/I have struggled in the past couple years.... they didn't make the podium last year... beaten by a team that didn't even make the free dance at worlds... so, before making it a collateral damage to V/M's return (not saying that it had no effect at all), I'd like to simply suggest that perhaps, they felt they have plateaued. I always liked them and was looking forward to seeing them at Nationals. One more month guys!!! Damn it!!!! At the same time, mid-twenties it's really the time to finish degress if you have been an athlete and want to pursue post-graduate studies. I wish them best of luck and thank them for all the gorgeous skating they've given us. Let's enjoy the road to the olympics as so many skaters will retire after 2018... We have been blessed with skaters returning and competing for more than one cycle...

 

[humbaba]

Sorry to see them go. Wish them both happy and fulfilling futures.

 

[Crossover]

Sorry to hear that, but I knew this is coming after they abruptly withdrew right before their time to perform for short dance at Cup of China and there was no following explanation for their withdrawal. Wish them all the best for their future.

 

[olayolay]

I mean, P/I missed the World team last year without V/M so I think their problems were much more serious....

 

[gravy]

Oh wow, that's too bad. I wish them all the best in their future endeavours.

I wonder how much of a role Tessa and Scott's return played in their decision to retire. With V/M back and in amazing form, Piper and Paul gaining traction and steadily improving with each passing season this cycle, and don't forget Kaitlyn and Andrew who have two world medals since Sochi and overall have had much success (minus their unfortunate placement at last year's worlds), perhaps Alex and Paul were feeling that their chances at making the 2018 Olympic team were low. Piper and Paul have widened the gap between them and P/I, and the probability of P/I beating them at Canadian nationals like they did in 2014 is very slim.

Or maybe it has nothing to do with their reasoning and that's not why they are retiring at all, don't get me wrong.

I think Tessa and Scott's return played a huge part in why so many teams like Paul & Islam, Orford & Hill, and Paradis & Ouellette retired this year. There's a clear hierarchy established that will be virtually impossible to break with V&M, WeaPo, and Goirier occupying the podium. I think Goirier's scores at the Canada Challenge was the nail in the coffin for P&I because WeaPo might actually fall to 3rd at Nationals... and there's no way SC would ever dump Kaitlyn & Andrew below that.

It's not shocking that these two retired prior to Nationals; training to go and to collect a 4th place finish doesn't seem all that great and skating is extremely expensive.

 

[maddiesparks]

Saw this coming, but it's still disappointing news. What a sad state Canadian ice dance will be in post 2018.

 

[liv]

Awww. I had an idea this might be coming when competition results just weren't improving. I always enjoyed their skating and programs, they had such a gentle and elegant touch on the ice. Quite beautiful. I wish them the best of luck in the future.

 

[Abraxis12345]

I mean, P/I missed the World team last year without V/M so I think their problems were much more serious....

Going by their scores, it seemed like the judges were ready to dump them, with or without VM.

I do agree the rash of retirements is concerning, but I'm not sure Skate Canada has the finances to fund more athletes in the near future. Their last financial report did not look good

 

[WeakAnkles]

I think Tessa and Scott's return played a huge part in why so many teams like Paul & Islam, Orford & Hill, and Paradis & Ouellette retired this year. There's a clear hierarchy established that will be virtually impossible to break with V&M, WeaPo, and Goirier occupying the podium. I think Goirier's scores at the Canada Challenge was the nail in the coffin for P&I because WeaPo might actually fall to 3rd at Nationals... and there's no way SC would ever dump Kaitlyn & Andrew below that.

It's not shocking that these two retired prior to Nationals; training to go and to collect a 4th place finish doesn't seem all that great and skating is extremely expensive.

Might I suggest "Gillier" instead of Gorier? Goirier sounds like the title of a slasher flick. Just a suggestion...

I was never all that hyped about this team, but I was hyped up about Alexandra Paul. She is quite a wonderful, ethereal skater. Still, it's totally understandable why they retired and best of luck to both of them!

 

[sarama]

It is probably the best choice for them right now, still it's sad to see them retire without accomplishing even a fraction of what their talent could have allowed. Their career was full of unfortunate episodes, and coaching teams unable to guide them appropriately. Still they had some truly beautiful performances!

 

[ruffledgrouse]

Noooooooo, not my Ridiculously Beautiful Ice Couple! :sad4: At least we'll always have Peter Gabriel.

In all seriousness, I'm sorry to see them go but not that surprised either. Watching them and H/B perform to the same music back to back really showed a big difference between two teams I thought had been evenly matched. I hope they get some show invites, at least.

 

[rain]

What? Nooooooo. This team had enormous potential they never fullfilled. :sad21:

They've been moving backwards in recent years in terms of results, so I can't say this is entirely unexpected. I agree that this is a team that sadly never reached their full potential for whatever reason. I remember the first time I saw them I thought they'd be future Canadian champs, but it was never to be. Injuries played a part, along with just weird and bad choices in choreography and unfortunate slip-ups at key moments. They just never had that breakthrough.

 

[iluvtodd]

So sorry to wake up to this news. I always liked this team, will miss them, but wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

 

[Big Deal]

I think that for 2 ambitious young people it was a wise decision. You have no reason to sacrifice your time, money and future in a field where you are proven to be stagnating since several years.

 

[Sackie]

Not surprised but now have to wonder what happens to CAN Dance after next year. Cause I can see all 3 of our top teams retiring after the Olympics unless G/P stay on for 1 more year just for a CAN title and maybe a world medal depending on who else retires.