Ice dance at its very best is about the connection between the skaters. Paul Poirier, half of the reigning Canadian ice champion came into the summer having conducted a fairly exhaustive search for a new partner.

In mid-June of this year, American ice dancer Piper Gilles made the trek to Toronto for a 2 day tryout with Paul.  Paul says: "Carol (Lane) told me that I would know within the first 5 minutes if the skating would work out with someone else." He coninues by saying: "Piper was the last girl I tried out with and if anyone was good fit it would be her." Piper's mother had heard that Paul was looking for a new partner and approached Piper's former coach, Patti Gottwein who knew Carol,  to phone and see if a tryout could be arramged.

On the ice at the annual exhibition put on by the ice dancers from the Scarboro Ice Dance Elite school, Piper and Paul went through their paces including part of a short dance that may or may not be incorporatd into a program for the upcoming season.

Skating together for only three weeks and with brand new choreography, allowances have to be made for working out the differences in style, and yet there were some elements that jumped off the page for me: namely their speed and their unison which was very impressive. If you have never seen Piper Gilles think along the lines of American glamour girl Kate Hudson in the movie 'Nine'. Gilles has a fresh-faced, playful quality that is a welcome contrast against some of the over the top kookiness that can be found in the international ice dance field. 

Although they wouldn't comment on whether their arrangement was 'for good', they both acknowledged "why wouldn't it be?" By all accounts, they hit the ice very day training with determination and building towards the future.  Even if they were ready for the Fall's events, they are not able to compete internationally for Canada for another year according to ISU rules.  That will not stop them from working hard and readying themselves for Nationals where they want to blow the 'socks off' the field. Paul says with a grin that they will be the 'wildcard' come Canadian nationals in January. 

In the meantime, Piper continues to get used to her new life in Canada, Paul settles into a new partnership and coach Carol Lane plans how to develop the team of Gilles and Poirier:

For more from Paul (in English and French) and Piper - view my video:

Time will tell where this team is concerned although it is clear that they may be on to something.

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Last night the scene was set at the annual Scarboro Ice Dance Elite show where all of the school's ice dance teams were on deck performing this season's programs. There were ice dancers at every level including Canadian National Team members Kharis Ralph and Asher Hill. I will tell you that I have always really liked this team. I really like their contrasts - Kharis' demure femininity contrasted against Asher's powerful masculinity. I also love the fact that they are intelligent, polite and all around great kids!

First up for them was this year's Free Dance - a tango piece to music from the movie Waking Life that Asher found - several years ago in Grade 10 -  when the movie was shown in his English class and the music stuck with him.

"There is a basic story to the free dance but one that hasn't yet been fully explored. It is about finding my perfect guy and when the music changes - I have him." explains Kharis. The skaters agree that it has a playful and mischievious tone. What I noticed was the connection that they have to each other throughout the piece. See what you think?

There are lots of changes to the look of this team on the ice and a new found confidence that is hard not to miss.  Kharis' body line has somehow elongated giving the team much more"oneness".  "Obviously last season didn't go the way we wanted it to so when the season was over we sat down and talked about what we wanted to do." explains Kharis. "We wanted to re-create ourselves and transform everything from our skills to the way our bodies worked and looked" said Asher. This has happened with lots of hard work and a special attention to ballet, ballroom and work with a lift coach.

Coach Carol Lane comments on her students:

"I feel almost like we are brand new." This from Asher who talks about the stability that defines their partnership. Kharis takes a little longer to find one word to describe her partnership. She is hesitant but comes up with "devotion" - not in a romantic way but in a way that puts people together for a common goal. For me, I choose the word natural although I could also choose comfortable because of their ease with one another.

For Kharis, skating is "being able to become whoever I want to be." Kharis wears this more mature presentation like a custom glove.

Acacia Hill is Asher's twin sister and a former Senior Ladies competitor knows a thing or two about performance: "I see a maturity in them this year. Kharis before was very conservative and has learned to move in a different way. I see them coming out of their shell." Acacia goes on to define the team by their chemistry, calling them "unique and creative."

Kharis and Asher are looking forward to competing at Nebelhorn and Skate America with Kharis talking about their renewed determination to be "as prepared as we can be for the upcoming Grand Prix season"

Skating is..."life" for Asher Hill. "I can't imagine doing anything else."

It shows.

Here are the skaters' thoughts on their upcoming season:

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On my recent trip to the Liberty competition in Aston, PA, I roamed the rink like some kind of fan posessed, intent on snagging Paul Wylie for an interview.  Ok - truth is we had crossed paths on numerous occasions as he so kindly reminded me that he remembered my announcing him during his competitive days about a trillion years ago. That was then, when I still had youth and no hair color on my side - and this was now - as dedicated blogger. I don't know what possessed him, but he agreed to be interviewed.

The first thing that would capture a person's atrtention would be the gracious smile, the twinkle in the blue eyes and the calm graciousness that defines Paul.  This is a very humble man who is not one to wear his accomplishments on his sleeve and accomplished he is; take his 1992 Olympic silver medal or his business degree from Harvard University. 

My interview led me to another one of his accomplishments; that as advocate for young people through an organization called Respect in Sport. Having read the story of hockey abuse survivor Sheldon Kennedy that he outlined in his book, Paul contacted the author and was compelled to get involved.

The premise is to advance the case for the protection of children involved in sport.  There have been lots of examples of young people having been compromised by authority figures as they attempt to achieve their goals. Respect in Sport offers training of anyone who may have a role in a young athlete's life from coaches to parents and administrators and beyond.  In Canada, Hockey Canada and Hockey Manitoba among others have adopted this tool and for more information you need only go to their website:  http://www.respectinsport.com

Back to Paul Wylie.  Chatting about his family life as a husband and dad of 3 young children, his involvement in skating as a coach and with Respect in Sport comes as no surprise.  We talk about the impact that the words and actions of a coach can have on their student. Ironically, Paul's student Alex Aiken performed at a less than optimal level at Liberty and he strolled over for a quick chat with his coach during our interview. "You just don't know what effect you are having on a young person as a coach. It is something that needs to be taken seriously."

In observing Paul at the boards, it makes sense that his gift as a coach is being able to offer a point of view born of experience. Nothing like learning from someone who has already "walked the walk." and who is committed to the progress of the skater.

More from Paul Wylie in his own words:

As a commentator his approach was always thoughtful and considered, something that stands him in good stead to this day.

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