Moose Jaw Skating Club (MJSC) came with their young talented skaters to watch the Stars on Ice warm up in the afternoon of December 14th, preceding their performance scheduled for later that evening at the Event Centre.
“It’s always super fun to meet skaters from local skating clubs,” said three time and reigning Canadian Pair Champion Kristen Moore-Towers. “We remember when we were these kids visiting these big shows and meeting our idols, and we remember who made a positive impact on us.
“So, we try to be those people that speak to these kids and ignite their dreams and encourage them to keep skating,”
Sherry Wiebe, the director and coach of MJSC said that it’s very exciting and motivating to watch these professional skaters perform, and a very positive thing for the club because she knows her students will go back and work event harder in their abilities. Having a goal and self-motivation will make them go beyond their expectations.
“They are really excited,” said Coach of MJSC, Bree Campbell. “I don’t think they really realize how big of a deal this is.”
A couple of months ago, the club was invited to come and view the practice and be part of the show. Campbell also said watching these performers practice and warm-up is always a treat. She is hoping her students learn a few things when they go home and skate.
MJSC has one junior figure skater who competes in the Canadian Winter Games. “Feels pretty good coming to watch all these older guys skate, and I hope I will gain quite a bit of knowledge from watching them,” said the 2023 Saskatchewan Winter Games competitor Eric Swalm. Some of his accomplishments include being the recipient of the 2018 Pre-Juvenile (U11) gold medal and the 2022 Pre-Novice Men’s gold medal.
Swalm says that the Winter Games championship is the top competition in Saskatchewan. He has to score a minimum of 20 points to qualify but says there are a lot of high skaters out there competing.
Coming to watch the best athletes here, Swalm says he hopes to see himself up at the top just like these guys [someday].
MJSC’s junior skaters were able to meet, talk and take autographs with Kristen Moore-Towers, Michael Marinaro, Alissa Czisny and Kaetlyn Osmond, all performers with Stars on Ice.
