Speed Skating Canada – Montreal, September 18, 2017 – Speed Skating Canada is inviting media representatives to come and meet the 2018 Canadian Short Track Speed Skating Provisional Olympic Team members Wednesday morning, September 20 (see schedule below), at Maurice-Richard Arena (2800 Viau St.), a few days prior to their departure for the first 2017-2018 ISU World Cup Short Track of the season and of the Olympic season.

The first 2017-2018 ISU World Cup Short Track of the season will be held September 28 to October 1 in Budapest, Hungary, followed, the week after, by the second stage in Dordrecht, Netherlands.

Members of the 2018 Canadian Short Track Speed Skating Provisional Olympic Team will aim to qualify spots for the country in the different events to be held in PyeongChang in February 2018.

Members of the 2018 Canadian Short Track Speed Skating Provisional Olympic Team are Kim Boutin (Sherbrooke, QC), Kasandra Bradette (Saint-Félicien, QC), Jamie Macdonald (Fort St. James, BC), Valérie Maltais (Saguenay, QC) and Marianne St-Gelais (Saint-Félicien, QC) on the women’s side, as well as Charle Cournoyer (Boucherville, QC), Pascal Dion (Montréal, QC), Samuel Girard (Ferland-et-Boilleau, QC), Charles Hamelin (Sainte-Julie, QC) and François Hamelin (Sainte-Julie, QC) for the men.

Audrey Phaneuf (Saint-Hyacinthe, QC) and Steven Dubois (Lachenaie, QC) will also travel with the team.

WHEN AND WHAT?     Wednesday, September 20

Women’s National Team

Training: 8:45 am to 9:20 am (image opportunity)
Media availability: 9:35 am to 11 am (interviews – 9:35 am to 10 am: Kim Boutin and Kasandra Bradette)

Men’s National Team

Training: 10:20 am to 11 am (image opportunity)
Media availability: 11:15 am to 12 pm (interviews)

WHO?                          Members of the 2018 Canadian Short Track Speed Skating Provisional Olympic Team: Kim Boutin (Sherbrooke, QC), Kasandra Bradette (Saint-Félicien, QC), Jamie Macdonald (Fort St. James, BC), Valérie Maltais (Saguenay, QC) and Marianne St-Gelais (Saint-Félicien, QC) on the women’s side, as well as Charle Cournoyer (Boucherville, QC), Pascal Dion (Montréal, QC), Samuel Girard (Ferland-et-Boilleau, QC), Charles Hamelin (Sainte-Julie, QC) and François Hamelin (Sainte-Julie, QC) for the men, and Audrey Phaneuf (Saint-Hyacinthe, QC) and Steven Dubois (Lachenaie, QC) who will also travel with the team.       

Speed Skating Canada’s Women’s and Men’s National Team Head Coaches: Frédéric Blackburn and Derrick Campbell

WHERE?                       Ice level at Maurice Richard Arena in Montreal

2800 Viau St.

About Speed Skating Canada

Speed Skating Canada (SSC) is the governing body for long track and short track speed skating in Canada. Founded in 1887, SSC is comprised of 13 provincial and territorial associations. Speed Skating Canada is committed to Challenge and Inspire Canada to Thrive through the power of Speed Skating. SSC recognizes and values its outstanding volunteers who give freely of their time and expertise. It also celebrates the 63 Olympic medals won by Canadian athletes since 1932, as well as the coaches, officials and other dedicated individuals who helped them on their journey. www.speedskating.ca

Speed Skating Canada would like to thank its sponsors: 

Premium partner: Intact Insurance

Funding partners: Government of Canada (Sport Canada), Own the Podium, Canadian Olympic Committee

Official On-Ice High Performance Apparel: Li-Ning

Long Track Team Sponsor: KIA

Official Suppliers: Auclair, USANA

Sport Development Partners: Winsport Canada, Calgary’s Olympic Oval, University of Calgary, Institut national du sport du Québec, Government of Quebec, Canadian Sport Institute-Calgary, City of Montreal, Quebec City, Excellence sportive Québec-Lévis

– 30 –

For information:

Patrick Godbout

Communications & Media Relations Manager

Speed Skating Canada

Email: pgodbout@speedskating.ca

Phone: 514 213-9897

Website: www.speedskating.ca 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SSC.PVC

Twitter: www.twitter.com/SSC_PVC