2025-26 Retirements, Splits and New Partnerships

[Skater Boy]

The suspense before the expected avalanche of retirements begins is getting on my nerves. Maybe nobody is retiring this year? They all want to stay in for 2030?

I know everyone seems to be so secretive - well a lot. We know Kaori is retiring for sure. I can't tell from Deanna and Max's comments but wouldn't she be like 45 or 46 at the next olympics. I guess there is that gymnast who competed in the vault - maybe still does well into her late 40's?? Chock and Bates haven't made any statements. Nor Danny O'Shea. The Italian team has had some announcements losing two of their top 3 hopefuls. Are Sui and Han officially retired? We know Starr Andrews has "retired" from singles but will continue on in pairs. Interesting, Gabby Daleman from Canada has been seen practising pairs. She had a nice throw triple and with her lutz and 3Toe - 3 Toe she would need the lifts, twists and spins. Her brother was a pairs skater and then gave up. Hmm...Amber has not made an announcement either nor has Jason

 

[4everchan]

Most people are just not going to make announcements before worlds, especially if they are competing.
Also, some skaters will not make official announcements at all because of show opportunities, even sponsors.
They are more marketable and valuable without such announcements. Of course, an Olympic champion will always be marketable (well almost) but it's common for many skaters not to announce anything.

Gabby has said that she is continuing next season but not in pairs in singles.

 

[DemTuppesSeine]

Sui and Han said at the Olympics that this was their last competition.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

I know everyone seems to be so secretive - well a lot. We know Kaori is retiring for sure. I can't tell from Deanna and Max's comments but wouldn't she be like 45 or 46 at the next olympics. I guess there is that gymnast who competed in the vault - maybe still does well into her late 40's?? Chock and Bates haven't made any statements. Nor Danny O'Shea. The Italian team has had some announcements losing two of their top 3 hopefuls. Are Sui and Han officially retired? We know Starr Andrews has "retired" from singles but will continue on in pairs. Interesting, Gabby Daleman from Canada has been seen practising pairs. She had a nice throw triple and with her lutz and 3Toe - 3 Toe she would need the lifts, twists and spins. Her brother was a pairs skater and then gave up. Hmm...Amber has not made an announcement either nor has Jason

There are teams who have not made announcements yet, but have made decisions they haven't publicly shared, including well-known skaters and lesser known. But that's fairly normal, aside from this being the post-Olympics wind down into '26 Worlds.

 

[Moxiejan]

Amber has not made an announcement either nor has Jason

In one of her post-Olympics interviews, Amber said that she’d initially planned to retire after Worlds, but now is likely to do at least another year. But probably not another Olympics. She said it all depends on how her body feels — and that she’s in her career-best shape right now.

 

[DemTuppesSeine]

My two cents on Deanna and Max:
If one of them retires, the other one will probably retire too.
Max wanted to stop skating before he met Deanna and he has said a few times (I think) that he doesn't want a tenth partner.
Deanna...I think she might want to continue but I don't see her skating with anyone but Max. She'd either have to find a Canadian man at her level, or someone who is willing to switch countries, move to a new place, not compete for a year and most of all be willing to skate with a partner in her forties who might not be in the sport for that much longer. And I don't think SHE will switch countries.
Edit: And if Deanna REALLY wants to go until 2030, with plans on a second Olympics (no matter how unrealistic that is), she will need a Canadian guy. Remember how long it took for her citizenship to come through. A new partner from another country wouldn't get it in time.

 

[Seven Sisters]

My two cents on Deanna and Max:
If one of them retires, the other one will probably retire too.
Max wanted to stop skating before he met Deanna and he has said a few times (I think) that he doesn't want a tenth partner.
Deanna...I think she might want to continue but I don't see her skating with anyone but Max. She'd either have to find a Canadian man at her level, or someone who is willing to switch countries, move to a new place, not compete for a year and most of all be willing to skate with a partner in her forties who might not be in the sport for that much longer. And I don't think SHE will switch countries.
Edit: And if Deanna REALLY wants to go until 2030, with plans on a second Olympics (no matter how unrealistic that is), she will need a Canadian guy. Remember how long it took for her citizenship to come through. A new partner from another country wouldn't get it in time.

Or—she could sit out one season and return with a US partner, such as Balazs Nagy (if in fact he’s split with Audrey.) She presumably has dual citizenship

 

[labgoat]

Via a post on Instagram-Ice Dancers Shane Firus and Carolane Soucisse (IRL) have announced their retirement.

Congratulations to Carolane & Shane on a lovely career.
I wish them well as they move into the next phase of their life and career.

 

[4everchan]

Or—she could sit out one season and return with a US partner, such as Balazs Nagy (if in fact he’s split with Audrey.) She presumably has dual citizenship

She could but that's very unlikely

 

[Silevril Ilumire]

Shin and Nagy split? If that was reported on this thread already I must have missed it.

 

[saine]

Shin and Nagy split? If that was reported on this thread already I must have missed it.

Right now it's speculation based on them passing on the Worlds spot Kam/O'Shea withdrew from when they're first alternates and Audrey's Instagram activity. No confirmation, but I wouldn't be surprised for an announcement.

 

[saine]

Lily Wilberforce and Mozes Jozsef Berei (Pairs, Hungary) have split, he is searching for a new partner.

 

[slider11]

Or—she could sit out one season and return with a US partner, such as Balazs Nagy (if in fact he’s split with Audrey.) She presumably has dual citizenship

Interesting! I feel for Balazs - just hasn't been able to match with the right partner. Such a talent!

 

[4everchan]

Or—she could sit out one season and return with a US partner, such as Balazs Nagy (if in fact he’s split with Audrey.) She presumably has dual citizenship

well.. sitting a season and getting acquainted with another partner who seems to play musical chairs with his partners doesn't sound very promising to me for someone like Deanna. Also, it's not guaranteed that Skate Canada wouldn't make her wait a bit longer for a release considering she's a former world champion. Also, there is another formality for athletes having competed at the Olympics with a former federation : Skate Canada and the COC were nice to Laurence considering France was nice with Vanessa James... but it's not an automatic YES either...

So, if I were Deanna, I'd convince Max... or look at "local options" first. It seems like going back the USA means a lot more bureaucracy than actual competitive skating for the first year or two

 

[moonvine]

well.. sitting a season and getting acquainted with another partner who seems to play musical chairs with his partners doesn't sound very promising to me for someone like Deanna. Also, it's not guaranteed that Skate Canada wouldn't make her wait a bit longer for a release considering she's a former world champion. Also, there is another formality for athletes having competed at the Olympics with a former federation : Skate Canada and the COC were nice to Laurence considering France was nice with Vanessa James... but it's not an automatic YES either...

So, if I were Deanna, I'd convince Max... or look at "local options" first. It seems like going back the USA means a lot more bureaucracy than actual competitive skating for the first year or two

Not to mention that the US pretty much let her know they weren’t going to back her.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

My two cents on Deanna and Max:
If one of them retires, the other one will probably retire too.

It's known that Max is retiring and plans to coach. Deanna desires to continue, but with who? I, too, feel she will remain in Canada. She went through so much to gain citizenship there.

Interesting! I feel for Balazs - just hasn't been able to match with the right partner. Such a talent!

Balazs was very well-matched with Chelsea Liu. How could anyone forget their boffo 3-twist and their sexy vibe?! Chelsea only had the jump landing issues due to her long legs. She's happily paired now with Ryan Bedard, in Irvine.

 

[4everchan]

It's known that Max is retiring and plans to coach. Deanna desires to continue, but with who? I, too, feel she will remain in Canada. She went through so much to gain citizenship there.

It's been known for almost a decade that Max is retiring and plans to coach He was already coaching kids a long time ago. He is adding some more coaching... doesn't mean that he is retiring officially yet.

I think we will drive the OP crazy if we keep talking about a retirement that hasn't happened yet. So I will bow out and wait for further news.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

partner who seems to play musical chairs with his partners

Unfair characterization if referring to Balazs Nagy. He has simply had bad luck, and seemingly was wrongly swayed by U.S. fed in the promising, but now defunct pairing with Audrey. Shin/ Nagy were physically well-matched. But not in terms of personality, age, and experience. I heard that Nagy would have continued with Maria Pavlova for Hungary, but they faced issues with the Hungarian federation. In any case, Pavlova clearly found her perfect match in Alexei Sviatchenko. I agree with you about Deanna not leaving Canada. But, would Balazs try to switch to Canada? Probably doubtful.

 

[slider11]

Unfair characterization if referring to Balazs Nagy. He has simply had bad luck, and seemingly was wrongly swayed by U.S. fed in the promising, but now defunct pairing with Audrey. Shin/ Nagy were physically well-matched. But not in terms of personality, age, and experience. I heard that Nagy would have continued with Maria Pavlova for Hungary, but they faced issues with the Hungarian federation. In any case, Pavlova clearly found her perfect match in Alexei Sviatchenko. I agree with you about Deanna not leaving Canada. But, would Balazs try to switch to Canada? Probably doubtful.

How about Balazs and Ellie Kam? Lots of speculation there but I am guessing that Danny O is close to calling it quits competitively on the ice. But if Balazs was willing to come into the Meekins camp, Danny would be a great coach for Balazs and Ellie.

 

[saine]

Leina Liu and Henrick Chan are a new Ice Dance team. Since they tagged Skate Canada in the announcement, it should be for Canada.

Leina placed third in Novice Ice Dance at Skate Canada Trophy with her former partner. Henrick was 8th in Junior Men at Canadian Nationals, so Ice Dance is new for him.