5 Canadian skaters to watch in short track this season

With the World Cup season approaching, here’s our list of five Canadian skaters you should watch in 2018-2019.

By Jackob Savard

Photos: Schaats Foto's, Patrick Charbonneau and Bert van Lobenstein

A couple of weeks ago, we presented you a list of international skaters to watch this season and now here’s our list of 5 canadian skaters. Again, since this series' goal is to showcase skaters who could surprise, you won’t see names of established stars like Kim Boutin or Samuel Girard.

Pascal Dion

Pascal Dion is now a no brainer when thinking about the men’s Canadian relay team. He participated in Canada’s bronze medal in Pyeongchang and Canada’s silver medal at the World Championships last season. It's on the individual level that you should keep an eye on Pascal Dion this season. His performances at the Canadian championships were solid as he finished third overall and looked confident with his skating.  Keep an eye on the Montréal native this season on the World Cup circuit.

Steven Dubois

Steven Dubois has been known by the Canadian speed skating fans for quite a while now. Last year, he was impressive at the Olympic selections and was able to qualify to join the World Cup team. He had the chance to skate in one round of the relay competition at the second World Cup event where Canada ended on the highest step of the podium. He also got a glimpse of what it means to travel with the team. This season, he’ll be back on the World Cup circuit and might see more action in individual distances. It’ll be interesting to see the twenty-two-year-old skater evolve in the near future.

Alyson Charles

After a great selection competition last month, Alyson Charles will take part in her first World Cup season. She already has international experience with a couple of World Junior Championships under her belt and a participation at the Shanghai Trophy last season. She was also an important part of the historic Canadian win in the relay event of last year’s World Junior Championships. With Marianne St-Gelais’s retirement and Valérie Maltais’s switch to long track, Charles could already play a big role on the team this season.

Courtney Sarault

Named short track rising star of the year by Speed Skating Canada last season, Courtney Sarault will also be skating in her first World Cup season. Last year, she collected three medals at the World Junior championships and finished second overall. Her impressive third place at this year’s Canadian Championships will put her as one of the leaders of the women's team and it will be interesting to see the eitgheen-year-old skater perform against the best skaters in the world.

Cedrik Blais

Cedrik Blais offered solid performances at this year’s Canadian Championships finishing in fourth place overall with a win on a 500m event and a 1000m event. Already having participated in a World Cup, the Winter Universiade and the Shanghai Trophy, Blais already has a bit of international experience but he’ll probably get a ton this season. Keep an eye on him when the World Cup season starts next weekend.

Which Canadian skater are you the most excited to watch compete this season?

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