Many skaters today rarely announce that they are retiring. It's been obvious for awhile now that Alexa and Brandon are moving on. She's coaching full time, and Brandon will be going to school, and keeping up with his winning poker playing hobby!

As happened last season, there will be additions and probably some withdrawals before the GP begins. It's always interesting though to see the initial entry lists for the GP!
As expected, Jason Brown will not skate during the GP, but he will likely debut new programs at the Japan Open. He and Rohene (who celebrates his b'day today) have begun working on new choreo!

In the absence of JB, Ilia Malinin & Camden Pulkinen will get two assignments. But it looks like the rest for U.S. men, have been spread out one apiece between Kapeikis, Naumov, Torgashev, and Jimmy Ma. This appears to mean giving opportunity for one of them to step up and have a great showing, which counts when 'body of work' assessments are made post U.S. Nationals. On paper, Ilia and Camden are expected to do well. For the others how they perform may play into 4CCs assignments after U.S. Nats. As for Worlds it's probably going to be Ilia, Jason, and Camden, unless something unexpected happens. The U.S. guys with one GP should get other international comps during the season.