OTTAWA, ON (October 30, 2026) – Skate Canada is pleased to announce the appointment of Pascal Denis as its new High-Performance Director, effective November 16, 2026. Denis will succeed Mike Slipchuk, who has led Skate Canada’s high-performance programming for 20 years. 

A respected coach with extensive experience in elite figure skating, Denis brings a deep understanding of athlete development, coaching excellence and the demands of international competition. He has worked with the Ice Academy of Montreal (IAM), contributing to the development of elite ice dancers from around the world, and has coached Les Suprêmes to five world synchronized skating titles. 

Denis joins Skate Canada at a pivotal time as the organization advances its new strategic vision for the future of Canadian skating. His appointment reinforces Skate Canada’s commitment to strengthening the high-performance pathway, developing the next generation of podium-contending athletes and fostering the conditions for sustained competitiveness on the international stage.  

“We are thrilled to welcome Pascal to this important leadership role at Skate Canada,” said Shae Zukiwsky, Chief Sport Officer at Skate Canada. “His experience working in world-class training environments, coupled with his understanding of the needs of athletes and coaches, will be a tremendous asset as we continue to advance our high-performance programming. Pascal brings the expertise and perspective needed to build on Canada’s strengths, enhance our performance pathways and support our athletes in reaching their full potential on the international stage.” 

“I am honoured to take on the role of High-Performance Director at Skate Canada,” said Denis. “Throughout my career as both an athlete and a coach, I have seen the commitment, collaboration and long-term vision required to excel at the highest levels of our sport. I look forward to working with our athletes, coaches, staff and partners to advance Canadian figure skating and help position our athletes for future success.” 

“Pascal’s appointment reflects our ambition for the future of Canadian skating and our determination to build a high-performance system equipped to compete at the highest level,” said Therese Brisson, CEO of Skate Canada. “Canada has tremendous strengths, including world-class coaches, high-quality training environments and a deep-rooted passion for skating. By aligning our high-performance leadership with our strategic vision, we are focused on developing the next generation of podium-potential athletes and laying a strong foundation for Canadian success at the 2030 and 2034 Olympic Winter Games.” 

Slipchuk will remain with Skate Canada for the remainder of the 2026–2027 competitive season to support the leadership transition and provide continuity across key high-performance initiatives.