Patrick Chan at 2014 Winter Olympic Exhibition

(30 October 2015)  Patrick Chan, the 2014 Canadian Olympic silver medalist and three-time World Champion who had recently taken a year off from competition, seems as determined as ever to make his presence known in the international arena once again as he gets ready to get back in the ring again later this month at Skate Canada, to be held October 30^th-November 1^st at the Enmax Centre in Lethbridge, Alberta.

“[Competing] is a huge adrenaline rush for me,” said the 24 year-old Montreal native in a recent conference call. “It’s exciting to go to my first event and see [everyone].”

Chan, famously known for his superb edges, turns, flow and jumps, seems to be in a great place going into this prestigious event, one of six annual International Skating Union Grand Prix events that preclude Worlds in March, based particularly upon the high quality of his short program to Michael Buble’s ‘Mack the Knife’ at a non-qualifying competition in Quebec several weeks ago.

“I felt the excitement as opposed to the pressure and there was so much support,” said Chan, who is planning to skate to various Chopin selections for his long program, which, like the short, was choreographed by David Wilson. “I fed off of the positive energy of the audience.”

This year, Chan, reputed to be one of the most proficient skaters at the elite levels, much due to the years of tutelage he had gotten from the late Osborne Coulson as a young contender, said this event represents a vital stepping stone in regard to his foray back into the elite competitive realm.

“I’m not looking to have the skate of my life [too] early in the season,” said Chan, who is also slated to compete at the Trophee Eric Bompard in France next month. “My goal is to skate my best at Worlds in Boston.”

For the past several years, Chan has been training intensively at the Detroit Skating Club with Kathy Johnson, in order to achieve that task.

According to sources, Chan seems to be on the right road, as he has been said to be skating strong, solid programs on a consistent basis.

“I’ve been skating all the time with Kathy,” said Chan, who has also been trained by Christy Krall, a Professional Skaters Association Coach of the Year and the late Don Laws, the prolific mentor of Scott Hamilton, the 1984 Olympic gold medalist and four-time U.S. titlist.

As Chan gets ready to get back in the ring again in Alberta, he seems to be as positive as ever over the possibilities of what lie ahead this coming season.

“I’m looking at it like a fresh start,” said Chan, adding that the year off has been a fun and challenging experience that has brought a good balance to his life.

With that in mind, Chan seems to be in an ideal place to shoot right to the top of the competitive ladder once again, that’s for sure.