Paradis/Ouellette are 22. They were not together when they were juniors so they never did the JGP. Last year they did a Cup of Nice and placed well, then placed well at Canadians so Skate Canada decided to make them a host pick at Skate Canada. They were chosen as last minute substitutes for Skate America - I assume because they were close. The rest is history, as they say.
Cup of Nice https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2Rq_6fsrVs&list=PLUk5uyTyfOeDQ5uJJJrN4g0---Tpb1tOC&index=2
Since Nam has a bye to the Nationals, wouldn't that mean that the 12th place finisher, Dominic Rondeau, also goes to Nationals?
A couple of interesting younger skaters
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y35t4Xvwue4&list=UUsc7hNfnY3b65mZqXkVKNZw Justine Brasseur (13) Novice lady champ set a new Canadian record - also won Novice pairs with her partner.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7MnPdVXZNA&list=UUsc7hNfnY3b65mZqXkVKNZw Stephen Gogolev 9 year old Pre Novice champ (Orser at boards with him) 3Lz (fell off landing), 3T, 2x3S
(one in combo), 2x2A in combo -music on video out of synch
Stephen Gogolev was trained in Russia till very recently. Very promising boy.