Ice Men
I was reminded on Saturday that the best part of figure skating is the people. As one of the announcers for the 2nd Annual Margaret Garrison Memorial COS skating show, I was in the Brampton Powerade Centre for rehearsals and as The Icemen hit the ice, there was a young man in a plaid shirt whose fast and easy footwork I recognized. Make that I recognized most of the IceMen – but this was special – none other than former Canadian Pair Champion Bryce Davison. if you remember, Bryce had sustained a pretty serious knee injury during a freak loop jump landing last Fall that required some extensive surgery and when he and I last connected it was during a BOLD broadcast when he was just off crutches. To see him on the ice with that inimitable grin was a treat to say the least and then being able to catch up with he and current Canadian Pair Champion Dylan Moscovitch made it even more fun. The IceMen along with their predecessors Ice Nightmare have raised about $40,000 for breast cancer research.
Bryce admitted to joining the troupe after seeing them at the Hamilton SC show (his home club) where Dylan pursuaded him to join the IceMen for the final show after learning the routine off the ice. What does he like about performing with the guys? “It’s a good cause and I like to be able to give back to skating.” Bryce continues to say that the ‘Bro-mance’ is pretty irresistible as is skating with guys against whom he has competed for a long time. The chance to blow off steam for skaters doesn’t come around very often – so when it does present itself, skaters take advantage. As one of the veterans, Dylan has been skating with the IceMen and Ice Nightmare before it since about 2000 and says with confidence “We are Victoria’s Secret”. Like some kind of a naughty 12 year old, Bryce challenged me to report that “we support boobies” – honestly …boobies?? Can you hear the adolescent giggle from there???? (Note to Bryce – ya gotta know I’m not one to back away from a challenge!)
Both guys said that being part of the IceMen is like being part of a Men’s Beer League Hockey Team – just as much fun – only a lot less cool. I dunno – I think raising that kind of coin a little bit at a time is cool to the gaziillionth degree :). If you want to catch the IceMen – put the Mariposa Gala on August 4th at the Barrie Molson Centre on your calendar. If you want to see more great skating pics (like this one – Thanks Justine!) go to Justine Chiu‘s website. Dylan and Bryce are in the pink wigs 🙂
Oh yeah – how’s the knee Bryce? He was skating fast and looked great.
“My knee is in the same spot it was before. It is going to need more time but it is feeling pretty good.”
It was an unexpected thrill for me to see him with skates on!
Their attention turned back to the ice where World Champion Patrick Chan was practicing. As he doubled a jump, Dylan yelled “WIMP! You call yourself a World Champion??” Then Bryce said “Ooooh Patrick Chan – do a hitchkick!!” and they continued to affectionately razz the daylights out of the younger skater. Bryce commented with pride at how far Patrick has come since the first time he competed on the senior circuit and had Bryce as his roommate. The laughs are shared by all three guys with smiles extending on to the faces of the people watching the rehearsal around the rink – like me.The friendship and the fun in figure skating – feels like home to me.