Looking Back at Canada's Brian Pockar

[Ladskater]

At one time there were two skaters named Brian skating for Canada - Brian Pockar and Brian Orser. Of course, we all know the story of Brian Orser, but Brian Pockar was also a talented, artistic skater. "He was the 1982 World bronze medalist, a three-time Canadian national champion (1978–80), and competed at the 1980 Winter Olympics.[1] He was born and died in Calgary."

Here are three of Brian's programs, a bit grainy but worth watching....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUI1lWiLu8I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q87r3bIOHU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTN0vTGjudw

 

[LadyB]

Well done, Ladskater! I remember him well, he deserves a thread like this! :agree:

 

[labgoat]

Brian Pocker was an extremely charismatic skater who drew you in to a performance. I too loved the Wedding program and later enjoyed him as a commentator as well. Gone too soon!

Thanks for posting this.

 

[ladyjane]

I don't remember him, so I thank you Ladskater for providing me with the opportunity to watch this. X

 

[theblade]

Thank you for this! He left his mark in skating for sure.

 

[Ladskater]

Yes, I remember watching Brian skate and how in tune he was with his music and the audience. I enjoyed his commentating as well, such a sad loss. Thanks

 

[Sabrina]

I didn't know him. It makes me sad as he died long time ago, but what a gorgeous skater. Thank you for bringing him up.

 

[Skater Boy]

Wow he was a very proficient skater. Thank you for sharing I did some research I am not sure I would agree with Dick Button's comments that Pockar was pedestrian. But for the upstart Brian Orser who knows what Pockar would have done. He was skating in the genre of David Santee and Charles Tickner. He was more elegant and stylish than Hamilton It is good to give credit to skaters who may not have a slew of medals but were nonetheless great skaters. I think of other bronze and silver medallsts one time world medallists - Holly Cook, nicole bobek, the Israeli dance team, The German dance team, the Japanese team that won bronze at worlds, Johnny Weir I think won bronze, Rudi Galindo, Anna Pogolorya, Elena Radinova, Alena Leonova, Elena Sokolova, Tonya Harding, Tanya Sawchenko, even gold medalists like Kimmie Meissner (I won't include Lipnskaya, Baiul or Hughes who may have only won one world medal but did have other success. All for the most part were solid skaters and contributed more than their one time meal - with the exception of maybe Holly Cook who truly was a one moment oronehitwonder.