As the 2026–2027 season kicks off, Canada’s NextGen athletes are ready to turn potential into podium finishes and make their mark on the world stage. From record-breaking newcomers to Junior Grand Prix medallists and emerging partnerships, discover the junior athletes you’ll want to keep an eye on this season. 

Junior Women 

Lia Cho 

At just 13 years old, Lia Cho has already established herself as one of Canada’s brightest young prospects. The reigning national junior champion has broken the Canadian junior women’s record in back-to-back seasons, showcasing consistency and maturity well beyond her years. Now preparing for her Junior Grand Prix (JGP) debut, Cho will test herself against the world’s top junior women and introduce herself to the international skating community. 

Reese Rose 

If there’s one skater generating excitement this season, it’s Reese Rose. The Gananoque, Ont., native has been turning heads with a newly added triple Axel that she spent the summer developing and hopes to include in competition later this season. Rose also gained confidence competing alongside Canada’s top senior women at the 2026 Canadian National Skating Championships, where she placed sixth.  

Victoria Barakhtina 

Victoria Barakhtina enters her second JGP season with valuable international experience after finishing eighth at JGP Bangkok and earning silver at Nationals. Training under Joey Russell and Brian Orser, she’s ready to introduce her new programs internationally, including a short program set to music by Billie Eilish. 

“I’ve been wanting to skate to Billie Eilish for a couple of years, so I’m really happy I get to skate to this music.” 

 

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Junior Men 

Grayson Long 

Fresh off a breakthrough season that included a silver medal at JGP Riga and his first international title at the Bavarian Open, Grayson Long returns as one of Canada’s top medal contenders. While he’s eager to compete internationally again, he’s especially excited to debut his jazz-inspired short program. 

“My short program is definitely the one I think I’m going to enjoy performing the most so far in my career,” he said. “It’s really jazzy and has a lot of dancing.” 

William Chan 

William Chan continues to establish himself as one of Canada’s top junior men after capturing gold at the 2025 IceChallenge, and silver medals at both Nationals and the 2026 NextGen Competition. With strong domestic and international results already on his resume, Chan will look to bring his competitive experience to the Junior Grand Prix circuit. 

 

Colton Moness 

This season marks an exciting new chapter for Colton Moness as he joins the NextGen Team for the first time. The Thornhill, Ont., skater made an early statement by capturing bronze at the 2026 NextGen Competition in July, and silver at the 2026 Cranberry Cup International. As he continues his first junior season, fans will get a closer look at what Moness brings to the ice. 

Junior Pairs 

Brianna Dion & Jacob Côté 

As the most established pair on the NextGen Team, Brianna Dion and Jacob Côté enter the season with experience and momentum. After making their Junior Grand Prix debut and earning the national silver medal last season, the duo has emerged as one of Canada’s top junior pair teams. This season, they have their sights set on qualifying for the ISU Junior Grand Prix Final while continuing to deepen their emotional connection on the ice. 

Miroslava Oreshkin & Vladimir Furman 

Miroslava Oreshkin and Vladimir Furman made an immediate impression at their first national competition together, capturing the pair title at the 2026 NextGen Competition. Their strong debut showcased a natural compatibility on the ice, while Furman brings additional experience from his previous partnership with Beau Callahan. With an early national title already to their name, the new duo will be one to watch as they make their mark on the international stage. 

 

Kaydee Kallay & Étienne Lacasse 

Kaydee Kallay and Étienne Lacasse are a new partnership built on experience and potential. Lacasse enters the season following a standout campaign with former partner Julia Quattrocchi, which included a national junior title, and an appearance at the 2025 ISU Junior Grand Prix Final and the 2026 ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships. As they begin this new chapter together, Kallay and Lacasse will focus on building their partnership and establishing their identity.  

Ice Dance 

Summer Homick & Nicholas Buelow 

National silver medallists Summer Homick and Nicholas Buelow enter the season with renewed confidence after capturing back-to-back JGP bronze medals and representing Canada at the 2026 ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships. As they look ahead, the duo is focused on translating their consistency into even stronger results. 

“We want to represent our country and make everyone at home proud of what we’re doing on the international stage,” said Buelow. 

Charlie Anderson & Cayden Dawson 

In their first season together, Charlie Anderson and Cayden Dawson emerged as one of Canada’s most promising junior ice dance teams, capturing two silver medals on the JGP circuit and a bronze at the 2026 Canadian National Skating Championships. This year, the duo will look to build on their strong results while growing chemistry and confidence. 

Audra Gans & Danil Pak 

Audra Gans and Danil Pak may be a new partnership, but both athletes bring valuable international experience to the ice. Gans has represented Canada on the world stage, including at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games, while Pak begins a new chapter representing Canada after previously competing for Turkiye. Following a silver medal performance at the 2026 NextGen Competition, the duo has demonstrated early promise and will be a team to watch as they continue to develop their partnership. 

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