Two-Time National Champion Keegan Messing Retires from Competitive Skating

OTTAWA, ON (May 26, 2023) – National Team member Keegan Messing, of Anchorage, Alaska has announced his retirement from competitive skating after practicing the sport for more than twenty-eight years. As a five-time national medallist and two-time Olympian, Messing has been a positive leader and fan-favourite in the skating community.

“As I step away from competitive figure skating, I don’t feel burdened with what I couldn’t achieve but fulfilled with what I’ve gained and accomplished,” said Messing, “I can step away knowing that I’ve truly made a difference in the sport and that I’ve accomplished all I set out for. I want to say thank you to everyone who has helped me make it this far in the sport. I couldn’t have done it without all of you and I am forever grateful.”

“In the past eight seasons Keegan became a key member and leader for our National team and Skate Canada. In a career marked with so many highlights, he was always very humble, well respected by his peers, and wanted the best for all his competitors,” said Mike Slipchuk, High Performance Director, Skate Canada. “He will be missed but has left a strong impact not only on our program but in figure skating worldwide, and we look forward to his continued involvement with skating in Canada.”

Over the course of his career, Messing has proudly represented Canada on the world stage on numerous occasions, claiming gold medals at the 2018 and 2022 Nebelhorn Trophy, silver at Skate Canada International in 2018 and most recently a silver medal at the 2023 ISU Four Continents Championships. He is also the current Canadian champion, a title he has held for the past two seasons.

Despite his success on the ice, Messing would say his biggest accomplishments are his two children, Wyatt and Mia. Since the birth of Wyatt in 2021, he has delighted fans from all over the world by sharing updates and photos in the kiss & cry at every event he competes in. He now looks forward to spending more time with his family and is planning to continue skating in professional shows.