10 Canadian skaters – including four rookies – set to compete on international stage next month in Hachinohe City
CALGARY, ALBERTA – Speed Skating Canada announces today its team for the ISU World Junior Speed Skating Championships, which will take place February 9-11 in Hachinohe City, Japan. The nominated Canadian skaters will also participate in the ISU Junior World Cup Final, scheduled for February 2-4 in the same location.
The Canadian team for these International Skating Union competitions will be comprised of ten skaters, representing six different provinces, including four that will be making their international debut. Athletes were selected based on the results from the 2024 Canadian Junior Long Track Championships presented by Intact Insurance, which were held earlier this month in Quebec City.
Leading the charge of returning skaters is reigning national junior champion Daniel Hall (Calgary, Alta.), who captured silver in the Mass Start at last season’s World Junior Championships in Germany. He is joined by fellow Albertan’s Max Poulin, Jalen Doan, and Darby Beeson, as well as Saskatchewan’s Luca Veeman and Manitoba’s Sofia Bieber.
Julia Snelgrove, who made history a few weeks ago when she became Nova Scotia’s first ever national junior champion, is one of four skaters who will be making their World Junior Championships debut in Japan. She will be joined by female skaters Skylar Van Horne (Winnipeg, Man.) and Camille Tremblay (Rimouski, Que.), as well as men’s team member Connor Waters (Oakville, Ont.)
The full list of skaters selected to represent Canada at the ISU Junior World Cup Final and ISU World Junior Speed Skating Championships can be found below:
- Julia Snelgrove (Dartmouth, N.S.)
- Sofia Bieber (Winnipeg, Man.)
- Skylar Van Horne (Winnipeg, Man.)
- Darby Beeson (Airdrie, Alta.)
- Camille Tremblay (Rimouski, Que.)
- Daniel Hall (Calgary, Alta.)
- Max Poulin (Calgary, Alta.)
- Luca Veeman (Saskatoon, Sask.)
- Jalen Doan (Calgary, Alta.)
- Connor Waters (Oakville, Ont.)
The skaters will be accompanied in Hachinohe City by coaches Todd McClements and Marc-André Poudrier-Michaud, as well as physiotherapist Amy Bauerle.
The team nominations were made in accordance with relevant High Performance Bulletins following the 2024 Canadian Junior Long Track Championships presented by Intact Insurance, which were hosted January 4-5 in Quebec City. It is important to note that the composition of this team could potentially change should an appeal be submitted and accepted. Teams will not be made official until the appeal period has passed and a decision on those appeals – should any be received – has been made.