Tag Archive for: Joseph Phan

Canadian Joseph Phan Retires from Competitive Skating

OTTAWA, ON: Former junior national champion Joseph Phan, 20, Laval, Que., has decided to retire from competitive skating. Phan won two Canadian championships, novice in 2014 and junior in 2016. Phan competed on the senior circuit beginning in 2017 and most recently place fourth at the 2022 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships just missing the podium by less than a point. 

“It has been the greatest honour to represent Canada over the years and those years have been extremely memorable. There has been so many ups and downs throughout my career, and I’ve been able to overcome them with my constant drive and determination but also with the help of so many people in my entourage,” said Phan. “I want to thank Skate Canada and Patinage Quebec for their outstanding support, all my coaches from age five to 20, who helped me develop not only as an athlete but also as a person. The biggest thank you to my parents who gave me everything I could possibly have. Through figure skating I have learned countless lessons and met amazing people that I will forever cherish.” 

Internationally Joseph garnered a silver (2017) and bronze (2018) medal on the ISU Junior Grand Prix circuit as well as a fourth-place finish in the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships. Phan’s last competition of his career was the 2022 ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships where he fought hard and finished in ninth place.     

“Joseph is such an expressive and passionate skater when he is on the ice and that was showcased in his many competitive successes” said Mike Slipchuk, High Performance Director, Skate Canada. “Skate Canada is proud in the way Joseph represented his country and are excited to see what his future holds.”    

In the future Phan looks forward to staying in skating whether that be in coaching or participating in shows.  

Canada’s Joseph Phan wins bronze at ISU Junior Grand Prix

OSTRAVA, Czech Republic – Toronto-based Joseph Phan won the bronze medal Saturday in men’s competition at the fifth stop on the ISU Junior Grand Prix figure skating circuit.

Andrei Mozalev of Russia won the gold medal with 217.12 points, Camden Pulkinen of the U.S. followed for silver at 212.45 and Phan scored 207.80. He was third after the short program Friday and earned the second best score in the free skate.

“I’m really happy right now after a tough first Grand Prix,” said Phan, 17, ninth earlier this month in the Ukraine.  “We made some changes to my program so I could feel more comfortable and it’s paid off.”

Aleksa Rakic, 13, of Burnaby, B.C. was sixth at 185.08, two positions better than at the season opening event in Slovakia.

“I just came here opening to do better than at the first stop,” said Rakic. “In the free I just wanted to keep fighting and not let doubt creep into my mind. It just felt a lot better this week because I knew what to expect.”

The sixth stop on the circuit is this Thursday to Saturday in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Full results: ISU JGP Czech Skate 2018

Phan surges to fourth at world juniors

SOFIA, Bulgaria – Joseph Phan of Laval, Que., rocketed from 14th after the short program to fourth overall with a solid free skate in the men’s event Saturday at the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships.

When the ice chips settled, Phan came within less than a point of the podium for Canada’s second heartbreaking fourth place finish this week.

Russia was 1-2 with Alexev Erokhov first at 231.52 and Artur Danielan second at 218.76. Matteo Rizzo of Italy was third at 211.58 and Phan earned 210.91. Alexei Krasnozhon of the U.S., the leader after the short, withdrew from the free skate.

“I was confident I would move up but I wasn’t expecting 10 spots,” said Phan, 16, who ranked third for his free skate. “There were some minor mistakes like some steps outs I usually don’t do. I fought my way through the program and I’m really proud of it.”

Conrad Orzel of Woodbridge, Ont., gained two spots for 13th.

In women’s competition, Alexandra Trusova led Russia to a 1-2 finish.

Aurora Cotop of Toronto also made a nice gain in the standings rising from 21st to 17th.

“It’s the best I could have done for today,” said Cotop. “There were some elements that I hoped would be better but overall it was a great experience.”

Full results: ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships 2018

Joseph Phan takes home the gold medal at the 2018 Skate Canada Challenge

PIERREFONDS, Que. – Sixteen-year-old Joseph Phan upset national team members Nicolas Nadeau and Nam Nguyen Friday to win the gold medal in men’s senior competition at the Skate Canada Challenge figure skating event.

Phan, of Laval, Que., posted a personal best 245.22 points for his routine that included two quads and a triple Axel. Nadeau, of Boisbriand, Que., was second at 231.43 and Nguyen, from Toronto, took the bronze at 223.47.

‘’I felt stressed as usual but that helps me compete better,’’ said Phan, 11th at the senior nationals  last season. ‘’I worked really hard for this competition and I felt ready. I was pleased with both my programs and my plan is to add a second triple Axel in my long for nationals (in January).’’

There was no surprise in senior pairs as Julianne Séguin of Longueuil, Que., and Charlie Bilodeau of Trois-Pistoles, Que., won the gold medal with 202.46. Evelyn Walsh of London, Ont., and Trennt Michaud of Trenton, Ont., were second at 176.90 and Sydney Kolodziej and Maxime Deschamps of St-Léonard, Que., third at 165.52.

‘’It was not our best performance,’’ said Bilodeau. ‘’We made a few mistakes on technical elements. But our goal here was to prepare for nationals and get some momentum going.’’

In junior pairs, Lori-Ann Matte and Thierry Ferland of Levis, Que., were the winners with 144.36. Mariah McCaw and Steven Adcock of Kitchener, Ont., were second at 139.36 and Olivia Boys-Eddy and Mackenzie Boys-Eddy of Brampton, Ont., third at 136.68.

‘’We improved a lot,’’ said Matte. ‘’We wanted to put energy into our programs and entertain the crowd. The programs have different styles and we are working toward being more consistent in our elements.’’

In novice pairs, Brooke McIntosh and Brandon Toste of Mississauga, Ont., took the gold ahead of two Quebec teams. Camille Perreault and Bryan Pierro were second and Marine Pouliot and Alexandre Simard third.

Skate Canada Challenge is the sole qualifying event for novice, junior, and senior skaters to earn entries to the 2018 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships taking place in Vancouver, January 8-14, 2018.

Competition continues through to Sunday at the Sportplexe Pierrefonds.

Full results: 2018 Skate Canada Challenge

Canada’s Joseph Phan wins silver at ISU Junior Grand Prix

ZAGREB, Croatia – Joseph Phan of Laval, Que., won the silver medal Friday in men’s competition at the fifth stop on the ISU Junior Grand Prix figure skating circuit.

Alexei Krasnozhon of the U.S. was the victor with 225.48 points followed by Phan at 221.07 and Makar Ignatov of Russia third at 219.22.

‘’I’m super happy about the performance,’’ said Phan, 16, fourth at the season opening Junior Grand Prix in Australia. ‘’I stayed focused throughout my long and thought about one thing at a time.’’

In pairs, Evelyn Walsh of London, Ont., and Trennt Michaud of Strathroy, Ont., soared from seventh after the short program to fourth overall with 150.32 points.

Polina Kostiukovich and Dmitrii Ialin of Russia took the gold with 165.48, Yumeng Gao and Zhong Xie of China were second at 164.96 and Aleksandra Boikova and Dmitrii Kovlovskii of Russia third at 163.21.

‘’The short program didn’t go as planned but we knew we had a strong long,’’ said Walsh, 16. “We just got to keep working on the connections and making sure the audience and judges are feeling the same way about it.’’

‘’We just took our time in the long and tried to do it like we do at home,’’ added Michaud, 21. ‘’We love this program and we just want to showcase it to everybody.’’

Olivia Boys-Eddy and Mackenzie Boys-Eddy of Brampton, Ont., were 10th and Chloe Choinard of Frankford, Ont., and Mathieu Ostiguy of Granby, Que., were 12th.

In ice dancing after the short dance, Marjorie Lajoie of Boucherville, Que., and Zachary Lagha of Greenfield Park, Que., are in first place with 62.89. Ksenia Konkina and Grigory Yakushev of Russia stand second at 60.16 and their compatriots Sofia Shevchenko and Igor Eremenko are third at 59.97.

Ellie Fisher of Lower Coverdale, N.B., and Simon-Pierre Mallette-Paque of Laval, Que., are sixth.

Full results: ISU JGP Croatia Cup 2017

Phan fourth at ISU Junior Grand Prix opener

BRISBANE, Australia – A rough start to his free skate landed Joseph Phan of Laval, Que., in fourth place in men’s singles on Friday at the opening stop on the ISU Junior Grand Prix figure skating circuit.

Alexei Krasnozhon of the U.S. won the gold medal with 209.37 points followed by two Russians: Roman Savosin in second at 196.20 and Egor Rukhin third at 185.12.

The 16-year-old Phan was second after the short program on Thursday but ranked seventh for his long.

‘’I was too hesitant in my free skate,’’ said Phan, fifth and sixth in his junior Grand Prix performances last season. ‘’When things started not to go right I was changing my plan on the fly.’’

Phan fell on his opening quad in his free skate performed to The Godfather soundtrack. He stood on his triple Axel after missing it in the short but fell on his triple Lutz which blew the wind out of his sails.

‘’I was landing my quad and Axel consistently in practice,’’ he said. ‘’I think those jumps are getting better and better. But tonight the quad toe I didn’t feel stable. I’ve got five weeks until my next  Grand Prix and I want to correct those errors.’’

Canada is in medal contention in ice dancing with Marjorie Lavoie of Boucherville, Que., and Zachary Lagha of Greenfield Park, Que., second after the short dance with 58.55. Sofia Polishchuk and Alexander Vakhnov of Russia lead at 61.08.

Natalie d’Alessandro and Bruce Waddell of Toronto are sixth.

In women’s competition, Canadian junior champion Aurora Cotop of Toronto is ninth after the short program.

Competition ends Saturday with the free dance and women’s free skate.

Full results: ISU JGP Brisbane 2017

Canadian skaters sweep men’s medals at Bavarian Open

OBERTSDORF, Germany –Nicolas Nadeau of Boisbriand, Que., led a Canadian medal sweep in junior men’s competition Saturday at the Bavarian Open figure skating competition.

Nadeau was first in both the short and long programs for 213.58 points. Conrad Orzel of Woodbridge, Ont., was second at 197.45 and Joseph Phan of Laval, Que., third at 197.28.

Next month, Nadeau is hoping to climb a step at the world junior championships after earning silver last season. The Canadian world junior team is using this event as a tune-up.

‘’It was an OK performance, not my best,’’ said Nadeau. ‘’There were a bit too many errors overall. Still it’s a preparation for the world juniors so I accomplished my goals for this point. I’m working on improving my quad toe in the long and I’ll probably not make changes to my short program.’’

Orzel landed a quad and two triple Axels.

‘’I kept focused at the beginning of my program and did all the hard elements,’’ he said. ‘’It was great to accomplish the big jumps in an international setting. I’m really comfortable now with my programs and I just want to boost some elements for the world juniors and get more points.’’

The 15-year-old Phan is the first sub for the world junior squad. He is keeping sharp with third men’s member Roman Sadovsky of Vaughan, Ont., currently injured.

‘’I was really happy about landing my quad toe in the long,’’ said Phan. ‘’It hadn’t been going well at all in practice so I was pretty stressed about it. To get it in the competition was a big moment. Right now I’m on standby for the world juniors but I’m preparing like I would be going.’’

Canadian 12-year-old lands quad and two triple Axels
In novice competition, 12-year-old Stephen Gogolev of Toronto landed two triple Axels and a quad toe Salchow to win the gold in the men’s event with 140.52 points. Corey Circelli of Vaughan, Ont., missed the podium by just over five points for fourth.

‘’I just wanted to do well in the programs,’’ said Gogolev at his second career international event. ‘’The first half of the long stood out for me. Both triple Axels were really good and it was the second time I ever landed a quad Salchow. It had been pretty consistent all week in practice so it felt great when I landed it.’’

Catherine Carle of Georgetown, Ont., was fourth in the women’s event as were ice dancers Natalie d’Alessandro and Bruce Waddell of Toronto.

Competition ends Sunday.

Full results: Bavarian Open 2017

Top-five finish for Joseph Phan at ISU Junior Grand Prix in Slovenia

LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA: Joseph Phan, 15, Laval, Que., finished in fifth place at the ISU Junior Grand Prix event in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The event was the fifth stop on the circuit. Phan was third after the short with 70.33 points. He scored 127.39 points in the free program for a total of 197.72.

“I gained a lot of experience at this competition. During my short program, I skated my all and I placed top three and I am really proud of that. During my practices I was feeling the ice and practicing well,” said Phan.

Alexei Krasnozhon of the US won gold with 211.18 points, Ilia Skirda of Russia took silver with 208.28 points and Japan’s Kazuki Tomono earned the bronze with 202.57 points.

Ice dancers Ashlynne Stairs, 16, Calgary, Alta. and Lee Royer, 18, St. Albert, Alta., are in fifth place after the short dance with 50.52 points.

Americans Lorraine McNamara and Quinn Carpenter are first with 62.60 points, Russians Anastasia Skoptcova and Kirill Aleshin are in second with 56.80 points and            Sofia Polishchuk and Alexander Vakhnov, also of Russia, are in third with 55.60 points. Ice dance will conclude tomorrow with the free dance.

On Thursday, Sarah Tamura, 15, Burnaby, B.C., skated her short program, she is in eighth place with 51.42 points.

Alina Zagitova of Russia is first with 68.09 points, Rika Kihira of Japan is second with 65.93 points and Alisa Lozko of Russia is third with 59.78 points. The ladies will skate their free program tomorrow.

Canada does not have an entry in pair at this event.

Full results: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1617/jgpslo2016/.

Canadian junior skaters head to Ljubljana for fifth event of ISU Junior Grand Prix

Ottawa, ON: Skate Canada will send three entries, for a total of four skaters to Ljubljana, Slovenia for the fifth event of the 2016-2017 ISU Junior Grand Prix circuit. Canada will send one entry per discipline in ladies, men’s and ice dance to the competition taking place from September 21-25, 2016.

Joseph Phan, 15, Laval, Que., the 2016 Canadian Junior Champion will be participating in only his second junior grand prix event in Ljubljana. Phan finished sixth at his first competition in Ostrava, Czech Republic, earlier this month. Last season, he won the silver medal in the junior category at the 2015 Autumn Classic International. He is coached by Yvan Desjadrins at the Club de Patinage Artistique Laval.

Sarah Tamura, 15, Burnaby, B.C., will be Canada’s lone female entry at the junior grand prix event in Ljubljana. Tamura will aim to build off a successful 2016 season where she captured the Canadian junior title. That performance helped earn her a berth at the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships in Debrecen, Hungary where she placed 13th. Tamura also placed 13th at the 2015 Junior Grand Prix in Latvia. She is coached by Joanne McLeod at the Champs International Skating Centre in Burnaby, B.C.

Ashlynne Stairs, 16, Calgary, Alta. and Lee Royer, 18, St. Albert, Alta., will be representing Canada in the ice dance discipline. The duo finished seventh at the first stop on the 2016 ISU Junior Grand Prix circuit, in France. Stairs and Royer are coached by Megan Wing and Aaron Lowe at the Champs International Skating Centre in Burnaby, B.C.

Manon Perron of Boucherville, Que. will act as the Canadian team lead at the event in Slovenia, and she will be accompanied by physiotherapist Siobhan Karam of Ottawa, Ont. Also attending the event are Canadian officials Debbie Islam of Barrie, Ont., and Sabrina Wong of Toronto, Ont.

The ISU will be live streaming the competition via the ISU Junior Grand Prix YouTube channel. For results and full entries please visit www.isu.org.

CANADIAN ENTRIES AT ISU JGP #5 – Ljubljana, Solvenia

Discipline Name Age Hometown Club Coach
Mens Joseph Phan 15 Laval, Que. CPA Laval Yvan Desjardins
Ladies Sarah Tamura 15 Burnaby, B.C. Champs International SC Joanne McLeod
Ice Dance Ashlynne Stairs / Lee Royer 16/18 Calgary, Alta. / Ft. St. Albert, Alta. Champs International SC / Champs International SC Megan Wing / Aaron Lowe

Joseph Phan sixth in ISU Junior Grand Prix debut

OSTRAVA, Czech Republic – Canadian junior champion Joseph Phan of Laval, Que., completed his first ISU Junior Grand Prix figure skating competition is sixth place in men’s singles on Saturday at the second stop on the circuit.

Dmitri Aliev of Russia won the gold medal with 232.83 points, Alexei Krasnozhon of the U.S. was second in 223.60 and Roman Savosin of Russia third in 207.64.

Phan, 15, was sixth both the short and long programs and totalled 189.78. Samuel Turcotte of Varennes, Que., also in his Junior Grand Prix debut, was 11th.

‘’I tried to do like at home in practice and I think I achieved that,’’ said Phan. ‘’it was quite an experience being here and I felt proud to be skating amongst this kind of talent. It makes you want to go back home and work harder.’’

Turcotte,16, is also headed home satisfied.

‘’I felt the experience here was very valuable,’’ said Turcotte. ‘’I was really pleased how we prepared for this competition. I felt very ready.’’

Russia won two more medals in women’s competition with Anastasiia Gubanova earning gold and Alisa Lozko the bronze. Rika Kihira of Japan was second.

Alicia Pineault of Varennes took 10th spot in her debut on the circuit.

The third stop on the Junior Grand Prix is this Friday and Saturday Yokohama, Japan.

Complete results: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1617/jgpcze2016/index.htm.

Whitley and Graham top Canadians at ISU Junior Grand Prix

OSTRAVA, Czech Republic – Hannah Whitley of Barrie, Ont., and Elliott Graham of Angus, Ont., placed fifth in ice dance on Friday for Canada’s best result so far at the second stop on the ISU Junior Grand Prix circuit.

Lorraine McNamara and Quinn Carpenter of the U.S. took the gold with Nicole Kuzmich and Alexandr Sinicyn of the Czech Republic second and Arina Ushakova and Maxim Nekrasov of Russia third.

Whitley and Graham posted their best international score with 126.27 points to also improve on their seventh place finish from last year’s ISU Junior Grand Prix stop.

“We skated two of our best programs and we’re impressed to make the top-five,’’ said Whitley, 16, who sat out part of last season due to a shin injury. “We learned a lot and going home we have a lot to work on for our next competition. Our speed is one area in particular that needs improvement. For me it’s great to be back on the ice pain free.’’

Danielle Wu and Nik Mirzakhani of Burnaby, B.C., were seventh in their international debut.

‘’It was quite a learning experience,’’ said Wu. ‘’The short dance was a bit disappointing but we came back with a strong free. We are learning to connect together as a team and we can see a lot of improvement.’’

In pairs, Anna Duskova and Martin Bidar of the Czech Republic were the winners. Amina Atakhanova and Ilia Spiridonov of Russia were second and Chelsea Liu and Brian John son of the U.S. third.

Lori-Ann Matte and Thierry Ferland of Levis, Que., were sixth with a career-best 137.89 points while Justine Brasseur of Brossard, Que., and Mathieu Ostiguy of Ste-Angèle-de-Monnoir, Que., were 11th.

‘’We are very proud of our performances here,’’ said Ferland. ‘’We achieved our goals and proud with how well we did in our first Grand Prix. We had never measured ourselves against skaters from other countries so we kept our goals focused on our own performances.’’

In the men’s short program on Friday, Canadian junior champion Joseph Phan of Laval, Que., is sixth and Samuel Turcotte of Varennes, Que., 10th.

In Thursday’s women’s short program Alicia Pineault of Varennes is 10th.

The men’s and women’s free skates are Saturday.

Complete results: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1617/jgpcze2016/index.htm.

Canadian skaters head to Czech Republic for second stop on ISU Junior Grand Prix circuit

OTTAWA, ON: Skate Canada will send seven entries, for a total of 11 skaters to Ostrava, Czech Republic, for the second stop on the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating. Canada will have two entries per category in men’s, pair and ice dance, and one entry in ladies. The competition takes place from August 31-September 4, 2016.

Joseph Phan, 15, Laval, Que., is the first of two Canadian men’s entries. This will be the first ISU Junior Grand Prix assignment for the 2016 Canadian junior champion. Last season, he won silver in the junior category at the 2015 Skate Canada Autumn Classic International. He is coached by Yvan Desjardins and represents CPA Laval.

Samuel Turcotte, 16, Varennes, Que., will also represent Canada in men’s and will be competing at his first ISU Junior Grand Prix assignment. Last season, he won the silver medal at the 2016 Skate Canada Challenge in the novice category. He is coached by Andree Beauchemin and represents CPA Varennes.

Alicia Pineault, 17, Varennes, Que., will be the Canadian entry in the ladies discipline. Last season, she won silver in the junior category at the 2015 Skate Canada Autumn Classic International and also won silver in the junior category at the 2016 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. She is coached by Stéphane Yvars and represents CPA Varennes.

Justine Brasseur, 15, Brossard, Que., and Mathieu Ostiguy, 19, Sainte-Angèle-de-Monnoir, Que., one of two Canadian pair entries at the event. Representing CPA Brossard and CPA Saint-Césaire, they placed sixth in Latvia and fourth in Austria at their ISU Junior Grand Prix assignments last season. They also placed fourth at the 2016 Youth Olympic Games, fourth in the junior category at the 2016 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships, and seventh at the 2016 ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships. Brasseur and Ostiguy train in Saint-Léonard, Que., with coaches Richard Gauthier and Bruno Marcotte.

Lori-Ann Matte, 17, Lévis, Que., and Thierry Ferland, 19, Lévis, Que., are the second Canadian pair entry at the event. This will be their first ISU Junior Grand Prix assignment. Last season, they placed sixth at the 2016 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships in the junior category. Matte and Ferland are coached by Martine Simard and represent CPA St. Romuald – St. Jean.

Hannah Whitley, 16, Barrie, Ont., and Elliott Graham, 18, Angus, Ont., are one of two entries in ice dance. Last season, they placed seventh at their international assignment in Latvia. Whitley and Graham are coached by David Islam and Kelly Johnson at the Mariposa School of Skating in Barrie, Ont.

Danielle Wu, 18, Burnaby, B.C., and Nik Mirzakhani, 20, Burnaby, B.C., are the second Canadian entry in ice dance. Last season, they placed ninth in the junior category at the 2016 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. They are coached by Megan Wing and Aaron Lowe at the Champs International Skating Centre.
André Bourgeois, Skate Canada NextGen Director, and Scott Rachuk of Strathroy, Ont., will be the Canadian team leaders at the event. Physiotherapist Josiane Roberge of Sillery, Que., will be the Canadian team medical staff on site. Veronique Gosselin of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., and Jacqueline Wickett Warren of Ottawa, Ont., will be the Canadian officials at the event.

For results and full entries please visit www.isu.org.

CANADIAN ENTRIES AT ISU JGP #2 – Ostrava, Czech Republic

Discipline Name Age Hometown Club Coach
Mens Joseph Phan 15 Laval, Que. CPA Laval Yvan Desjardins
Mens Samuel Turcotte 16 Varennes, Que. CPA Varennes Andree Beauchemin
Ladies Alicia Pineault 17 Varennes, Que. CPA Varennes Stéphane Yvars
Pair Justine Brasseur / Mathieu Ostiguy 15/19 Brossard, Que. / Sainte-Angèle-de-Monnoir, Que. CPA Brossard CPA Saint-Césaire Richard Gauthier / Bruno Marcotte
Pair Lori-Ann Matte / Thierry Ferland 17/19 Lévis, Que. / Lévis, Que., CPA St. Romuald – St. Jean / CPA St. Romuald – St. Jean Martine Simard
Ice Dance Hannah Whitley / Elliott Graham 16/18 Barrie, Ont. / Angus, Ont. Barrie SC / Barrie SC David Islam / Kelly Johnson
Ice Dance Danielle Wu / Nik Mirzakhani 18/20 Burnaby, B.C. / Burnaby, B.C. Champs International Skating Centre / Champs International Skating Centre Megan Wing / Aaron Lowe