Jeffrey Buttle has retired

[waxel]

You can put me into the shocked category as well. Didn't see it coming. I do admire him for "going out on top" and understand that train of thought, but I will miss his wonderful performances.

Too bad there are no more pro competitions. That might have been a way to see more of him and for him to extend his career without the rigors of eligible skating.

 

[fumie_fumie]

I can't believe it!

This is what he said less than a month ago.

Buttle returned to Barrie in early August from California, where he’d spent a month or so training for shows such as the recent Mariposa Gala. He is back to continue his training here for a month or so.

He also tells The Advance it’s fun for a change to be the prohibitive favourite heading into next year’s worlds in Los Angeles and, of course, the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver-Whistler.

“I’m definitely fine with that. I would much rather be in that position than perhaps in the bottom of the pack, heading to Vancouver. You know, for me, it’s just a matter of making sure I’m in contention, and having the Olympic Games in your home country is a very special, unique thing.

“So, I’m just looking forward to getting that experience and being a part of that.”


http://www.barrieadvance.com/barrieadvance/article/114125

 

[Wrlmy]

I'm very shocked and sorry to see him retire..
But congratulation to Jeff for ending his amateur career on a very high note
He has a world champion title and Olympic medal under his belt, and I wish he has a very successful pro career if he intends to be involved.

Good luck Jeff, and thank you.

 

[SailorGalaxia518]

Well I am a shocked since I thought he had a good chance at the 2010 Olympics but I am glad he is happy and I wish him the best of luck in the future

 

[Ms.Anthrope]

I thought this was a joke at first but sadly it's not. It's great the Jeff is going out on top & on his own terms. Was so looking forward his upcoming programs but hopefully we will get to see them. Best of luck in everything he does in the future. Will miss him much.

 

[Tonichelle]

I'm shocked beyond words! On seeing the thread, I thought it was a joke! I was never Buttle's fan, but I certainly did not expect this! And the season just before the Olympics! Does anyone have any more insight into this?

I was just like you, P!!!!!! My jaw literally dropped and that doesn't normally happen

the link isn't working for me at the moment (I have a very bad connection at the moment) what's the reason for retiring?

 

[Dee4707]

Toni, here is an excerpt and it seems like the last line states it best.

Buttle said the lure of competing for Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver gave him pause to think about continuing on, but in the end, the world champion decided enough was enough.

"That was definitely the battle that was going on in my mind. I had to figure out if that was something that I really wanted," Buttle explained. "After the world championship, I was so happy with winning that I had to reflect on how important that was to me and having the Olympics here in Vancouver is important to me but winning them wasn't. It just wasn't in my heart."

Dee

 

[Tonichelle]

thanks, Dee!

 

[demarinis5]

Shocked and dismayed at this news. I wish him the best in the future. The good news is if he decides to tour we can still see him skate.

 

[lmarie086]

Completely shocked by this. If I hadn't known better, I'd have said it was an April Fools joke (it's entirely possible for me to be tired enough to sleep that long...becaue I am). But as it is September, I know it's true and wow. Did not see this coming. Even so, I can see the wisdom in this choice; he's going out on top of the world (how many skaters can say that?) and I wish him all the best of luck in whatever his future brings to him.

 

[SailorGalaxia518]

Buttle decides to go out on his own terms

http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080910&content_id=51672&vkey=ice_news

Though I am shocked at the news, a return is possible for the Olympics......just not right now I guess

"Jeff is going out with the rest of our team to train," Skate Canada CEO William Thompson said. "He is a leader on our team in addition to being a high-level skater. He spends a lot of time with his teammates; he was a huge help to Patrick Chan at the past world championships, and he is long-time friends with Joannie Rochette and Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir. He can lend assistance to the team and help keep it going in the right direction."

The news that Buttle still intended to participate at the camp -- held at the Pacific Coliseum, site of the 2010 Olympic figure skating events -- prompted thoughts that he might have a change of heart down the road.

"It's not difficult to maintain eligibility under the current International Skating Union (ISU) and Skate Canada rules, so there is no reason he could not return," Thompson said. "However, my sense is that he has thought pretty long and hard about his decision, so I don't think that is his current intention."

 

[merrybari]

Shock is right! But upon reading the article seems he's put lots of careful thought into this decision and is pleased with his accomplishments and ready to move on. All the best in wherever the future takes him.

 

[Saundy]

Absolutely, positively SPEECHLESS...:scratch:

 

[lcd]

Smart smart smart person... always was, continues to be.

Brilliant brilliant brilliant skater.... will be missed on the competitive scene but will look forward with delight to see how he brings everything that we loved in his skating to pure skating performance.

Will be huge not to have to grimace and cross ones fingers when he nobly went for that quad, or stepped out of a triple axel.

Will be sublime to simply watch him skate to music. I for one, can't wait.

 

[jennylovskt]

Smart smart smart person... always was, continues to be.

Totally agree!!!

When I saw this thread title, the first reaction was shock, disbelieve. Then I realized that he was sooooo smart. To end the competitive career on a high note and move on.

I will definitely miss him. Wish to see his performances in CSOI or SOI.

 

[nubka]

Although I honestly don't know why, this news doesn't suprise me. Kudos to Jeff for all the wonderful skates he has given us over the years.

I think it's great that he's going out while still on top - what a way to retire!

 

[Tinymavy15]

seeing the title of this post I though somebody was playing a joke to get views. WOW. I did not see this coming at all. I though Jeff made a statement after winning worlds something about looking forward to Vancouver (in his home country) and the win being the start of a new chapter in his career. I guess the Brians and Evans are breathing a sigh of relief. wow. what stunning news. I can't get over this.
This leaves things easier for Patrick Chan. He will have to step up though, and become the new artistic canadian with edges to die for.

Jeff will be missed. I hope he continues his success with his future.

 

[Ladskater]

I heard the news this morning on the radio. Since I am Jeff's biggest fan here at Golden Skate, I wanted to be the one to announce the news, but I figured someone would beat me to it. Anyway, it is a sad day for Canadian men's figure skating, but the men's discipline has always been a strong field here and I am sure Jeff is passing on the batton to Patrick Chan. It's a figure skating tradition. I am so glad that I got a chance to see Jeff skate live and look forward to seeing him continue as a show skater. I can't say enough about Jeff's wonderful talent on the blade. He is one of the most expressive skaters I have ever seen. The other day the CBC played the music from Samson and Delilah and I immediately pictured Jeff skating his program. It was such a beautiful program. He will be sadly missed in the competitive ranks for sure. I hope he sticks around to coach or advise. Jeff would be a wonderful choreographer. He has choreographed his own programs for shows from time to time and I've heard him express an interest in that area. What ever avenue he decides to take I wish him the best and would like to say "thanks Jeff, you're the best!"

 

[Buttercup]

I think this decision is to Buttle's credit. I'm sure the pressure on him to stay on until Vancouver 2010 would have been enormous, especially with his success this year. Good for him for going out at the top of his game and as a champion. I'm sure he'll do well as a professional skater and I wish him well in whatever he chooses to do in the future.

This does shake things up a bit for the men. I can't wait to see what happens in 2008-9!

 

[hockeyfan228]

But mazel tov to Buttle in whatever he does next.