Should Canada send Elvis to GP events?

[haribobo]

Yes or No. ;)

The way I look at it, it's tough to say. I think he should get assignments if he skates in a summer event or early fall minor international and places well. But the fact that he didn't compete at all last season means that Skate Canada should at least consider the other guys who would have been in line if Elvis did not decide to compete....

Sandhu, Buttle, and Andreev should get assignments either way.

So pretty much it's Ben Ferreira, Shawn Sawyer, and Nick Young who are on the fence with the GP, potentially being knocked out by Elvis. What do you all think is most fair to all involved?

If I had to predict what will happen, I bet Skate Canada will give him 2 GP assignments outright. But we'll see....

*sigh* :??

[John Q]

Just a few quick notes... when Kris and Kristy Wirtz returned to the "amateur" ranks after taking time off they were rewarded with 2 GP assignments... I'm sure Elvis being who he is will get similar treatment.
I also believe that Shawn Sawyer has a year of Junior eligibility left, so if Skate Canada wants to give him two JGP's then I don't think he can get a senior one.

[Emanfan]

I suspect we'll see Elvis and Eman at Skate Canada and Skate America.

[haribobo]

I think it's time for Shawn Sawyer, much as it is time for Evan Lysacek and Parker Pennington, to start skating in senior events. I think they've spent enough time in juniors now and are looking like they might be competitive in senior events anyway.

[Arsenette]

That's interesting to say the least.. :?? I thought of this as soon as I read that Elvis is coming back.. He has been out since when? I do think SC has precedent though and considering that the 2 Canadian skaters after him didn't do so hot (by comparison) they might give him another chance. Fair.. probably not, but it's something to get Canada back on the map. Now to see if he delivers.

[jcspkbfan]

I'd like Elvis to compete at two GP events other than Skate Canada for purely selfish reasons--it may be the only chance either of those other events will be broadcast on Canadian TV (and maybe we wouldn't have to wait three months to see them, either!)

[Yahoo]

When is he scheduled to announce that he's a WSF supporter? I wonder what Skate Canada will do then :)

[donnamarie]

They'll probably send the two skaters they think have the best chance of medaling - which is probably Elvis and Emanual. Maybe he'll have to show them what he can do first ... I recall he had to do that a few years ago, after his injury, the Skate Canada people came to Mariposa and Elvis had to show them he could still do the quads etc., I think maybe he skated his long program for them too.

[SkaterBrett]

I think he should earn his spot back on the team. i don't think we should give a gift to him and have other team members get the shaft. But hey it's skate canada and they will do anything they want, just look at their threats to members who support the WSF... so much for a democracy!

I also think it is time that Shawn Sawyer be awarded Senior events.. enough of the Juniors... Ben, Shawn and Nick should not have events taken away from them just to make room for Elvis... ok... they haven't been awarded any yet but Elvis's return shouldn't impact their careers.

As much as I really like Elvis, I don't think we should bend over backwards to get him back on the scene... the same rules should be in effect for him as other skaters...

I do see why Skate Canada wants Elvis back and that is to get 3 men to go to worlds and the olympics... but I think Eman, Buttle, Andreev, Sawyer, Young and Ferreira are capable of securing spots!

Just my two cents and I apologize to those in advance who disagree.

[Tony Wheeler]

I don't know. I know that SkateCanada will probably give him two Grand Prix events, but I also think that the top five men deserve spots. (Sandhu, Buttle, Andreev, Ferriera, Young).

Sorry, but I don't think Sawyer is deserving of one of these spots just yet. Nick Young beat him at 2002 World Juniors and 2003 Nationals, and wasn't really even given anything this past season, so I'd hope he would be in line ahead of Shawn. Unfortunately, I believe there are only five men able to go to the Grand Prix, and that probably means Stojko along with the top four will get spots, Sawyer will probably get Junior Grand Prix events again, and Young nothing, except maybe a minor international or two. :roll:

[Polish]

I don't think Young will get one, nor do I think he's ready. He needs to get some consistency and get a triple axel. The same goes for Sawyer. Another year on the JGP would do him well.

Canada has eight spots for the GP, and I think there will be only 4 guys who get them: Sandhu, Buttle, Andreev and Stojko. And unless Skate Canada can somehow manage an extra invitation, I think Fereirra could be left off the GP.

[AxelAnnie22]

How in the world could they not send him? He is Canadian Skating.

[StarshineXavier]

I don't think Elvis should get GP assignments. He has not done anything spectacular in the past few years that he skated. Emanuel has done really well this year, placing ahead of where Elvis last finished at his last worlds. Emanuel and Jeff may not be as technically consistant, however they are LEAPS AND BOUNDS ahead of Elvis. I'd rather watch a program that is not clean, but artistically superior to a program that's clean, but lacks any type of emotion. The skaters on the National Team worked hard to be on the National Team, and I don't think SkateCanada should deprive them of GP spots just because an old has-been decided he HAD to compete again.

[TRAxel]

I think he should get GP assignments, but he should have to earn them again and I'm not saying this because I am unhappy in any way, shape or form about his return... I am the complete opposite.

[Lynnet]

'sorry forget name' wrote:
"I'd rather watch a program that is not clean, but artistically superior to a program that's clean, but lacks any type of emotion."

Sigh ...... Such an old debate -
For those of you who don't connect with him, Elvis skates with no emotion. Fair enough, that's the truth for you. I don't hold a grudge against you for that - I don't 'get' Picasso but that doesn't mean that those who pay millions for his paintings are wrong. They see/feel something that's not apparent to me.
For those of us who do connect with that special quality in Elvis, there is more emotion is his opening pose than there is in a whole long program from a skater who has every movement and facial expression choreographed by someone else.
We will never agree on this just like we will never agree on Elvis' artistry or much of anything else about him, except for the fact that he always gives us lots to talk about. <g> This announcement is no exception and I for one am looking forward to seeing what he does with this new opportunity. He'll have to prove himself no question but whatever happens, I'll be right there to go along for another exciting ride.

Lynne

[supersk8er]

I'm not a huge Stojko fan, but I respect him a lot...However, I don't think that he should receive more than 1 international assignment...It's just not fair to the other skaters who did so well at Nationals! Shawn Sawyer, Nick Young, Fedor Andreev are all young and talented, and they are all looking for SR. International exposure, and they aren't going to get it if Skate Canada gives Elvis 2 Grand Prix's!!

[butterfly]

I believe he should earn his way back and I think he would agree with that. He will be a flash in the pan and Canada needs to give the new crop of skaters the experience and the benefit of the doubt. They should not be replaced by some older skater. Canada needs to build for the future not reminisce of past glory.

[LTM]

Elvis should not be treated differently that say -- the Wirtz's and if they got two GP assignments after "retiring" then I'd say the precedent's been set.
As for what I prefer to watch, personally I'm getting a little tired of the
technical vs artistry (or is it presentation) debate. No I don't like skater who just move from element to element with little feelilng. I also am sick to death of the "artists" who artisticly clean the ice with their butts or implode the minute something goes wrong.
I think what this says is that skating is incredibly difficult and skaters who can accomplish both are few and far between.

[MaryS999]

Well, I feel that Skate Canada should give the Grand Prix assignments to those skaters who have demonstrated (either past or present) that they are capable of competing, on a consistent basis, at that level.

For those skaters who did well at Nationals in the senior events, but who still have eligibity on the ISU Junior Grand Prix circuit, the JGP may be the best place for them; but, again, I feel that Skate Canada can best make the determination about where, and how, they want their skaters represented.

If Elvis feels he has more left to do and give to the eligible side of the sport, then let him do it and I'm glad Skate Canada is affording him that opportunity.

SkateFan2

[Angel01673]

Maybe it would be fair just to give Elvis one GP event instead of two, or none at all, sort of like a comprimise.

[leap of faith]

Chances are SC will get an invite or 2. They usually do.
As for the pairs situation last year, there were only 2 teams (L&F and L&A) were on the national team. Everyone else was a new pairing. So there wasn't a real scrabble for events at the time assignments were initially handed out. Also, the Wirtzes two assignment were both the second assignment for that event so SC was given invites for either them or the other team that competed.

It said on TSN.ca that Elvis's first event of the season would likely be SC intl. so someone seems to think that he will get the GP events.

[Greg D]

I just hope he does not inspire Todd Eldredge to come back, lol!

[StarshineXavier]

Originally posted by Greg D
I just hope he does not inspire Todd Eldredge to come back, lol!

I saw Todd skate in SOI, and he seemed to be having a great time touring. Didn't he also do non-sanctioned events that would prevent him from becoming eligible again?

[bleu]

Sure they should sent him.

I see two reason why he came back.

- the COP will work to his advantage alot more than the 6.0 ever did.
- he said in the press release that he has something *interesting*. Maybe, it is the quint toe?:lol:

[Skatingsarah]

I really hope that Elvis is ready for this otherwise hes going to look a lil stupid. But I feel bad for the younger ones that took advantage of Elvis' retirement. I really dont think that everyone should be counting out the younger ones like Sawyer and Young. I mean its the off season and everyone included them are training jumps an even landing jumps better. Infact Shawn has even been doing some quad salchows. So before you exclude the younger ones they are the future and well Skate Canada gave kids like Stojko the chance when they were young, these ppl deserve the same attention. Who knows they could evolve into being an world medalist too. But they need alot of experience and I think senior events would be key at this time.
-Sarah