After two decades in the role, Mike Slipchuk will be stepping down as high-performance director at Skate Canada following the 2026-27 season, as announced by Skate Canada on Wednesday.
Joining Skate Canada in 2006, Slipchuk oversaw Canadian figure skaters’ remarkable achievements, securing a total of 10 Olympic and 24 world championship medals.
During Slipchuk’s tenure, Canada clinched four Olympic medals at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, including gold in the team event and for ice dancers Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir.
Notably, Virtue and Moir’s gold medals at the 2018 Games established them as the most decorated Olympic figure skaters in history, with three gold and two silver medals.
Despite recent Olympic challenges with no medals in Beijing 2022, Canada managed to secure one bronze earlier this year in Milan Cortina through ice dancers Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier.
Over the last two decades, Canada has seen world champions emerge in various disciplines, including Patrick Chan’s three consecutive men’s world titles from 2011-2013 and Virtue and Moir’s three gold medals.
The most recent world champions from Canada were pairs skaters Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps in 2024.
Following his departure, Slipchuk will continue to support Skate Canada in an advisory capacity to facilitate the transition to a new high-performance director.
In a released statement, Slipchuk expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead Skate Canada’s high-performance program, highlighting the privilege of working with outstanding athletes and coaches. He shared, “There are countless cherished memories, but witnessing our athletes stand on the podium with their medals and the Canadian flag draped around them will forever hold a special place in my heart.”
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