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Chang will cherish his debut at Nationals

Connaught skater got to compete in his hometown as a last-minute entry
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Competing in front of his family in friends at the Canadian Tire National Skating Champions is something Ehren Chang will never forget.

It will go down into the record book as a 16th place finish in the Junior Men’s Division at the 2018 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. What it doesn’t mention is Ehren Chang’s unexpected route to the sport’s biggest stage in this country.

The 17-year-old wasn’t even supposed to be at UBC’s Doug Mitchell Thunderbirds Sports Centre. The Connaught Skating Club member had come up one spot short of qualifying for Nationals for the second straight year.

He finished 19th at the Skate Canada Challenge back in early December in Quebec. It was the very same position he ended up in 2016 too with only the top 18 advancing.

There was always the possibility of a skater withdrawing but Chang wasn’t holding his breath, having gone through the process a year earlier with no luck.

“Everyone around me, other skaters, our coaching team, were like someone could always drop out but, in my head, I’m thinking this is not going to happen because I have been in this position before. Why would it happen this time?” said Chang.

It was just three days before the start of the championships and Chang’s inclination was holding up until an early morning phone call from his coach Keegan Murphy. Ontario’s Allistar Lam had withdrawn, opening the door for him.

“My first reaction was I have skated a long program in weeks,” he laughed. “The lucky thing was I was still running my (short program) for an upcoming show so I was able to keep up with my cardio a little bit.”

There was no last minute scrambling for tickets. Chang was already planning to attend Nationals with his mom so the extra ticket would now be going to his dad.

The little time for preparation actually worked in his favour. He produced one of the best skates in his life and sat ninth after the short program.

“It was one of the favourite skates of my entire career,” he reflected. “Just being out there with all the lights and all the people. For once I actually had the audience I always wanted to perform in. There were people all around the arena, not just on the one side like usual competitions. I was able to perform in every corner of the rink.

“Keegan said it was one of my best ever skates and it came at Nationals.”

Unfortunately the rust caught up with Chang for his long program two days later. He was still very content with his 16th place showing given there were no expectations to begin with.

He admits he has reached a cross-road of his skating career. Does he continue or solely focus on his post-secondary education? Regardless, he will cherish that special week in his hometown.

“It’s a very difficult time. I’m looking my options and everything else right now,” Chang admitted. “Whether I continue or not (the Nationals) were one of best experiences of my life and something I will never forget.”