With world champion and Olympic bronze medal winner Jeffrey Buttle leading the way, the group number that closed off the Sudbury Skating Club 75th Anniversary Ice Show late last month at the Gerry McCrory Sports Complex was assured of being a memorable one.

Adding to the memories, however, was the presence of more than thirty former club skaters, with athletes spanning no less than seven different decades of competition.

Making their way in from destinations such as Ottawa and Kitchener were the likes of Linda Kangur and Mary-Catherine Bardeggia, both of whom were part of the club when Sudbury Arena served as their home venue, the aspiring performers often on the ice just prior to the Sudbury Wolves practice.

"Our group was strong," noted Kangur, 65 years young and still lacing up her skates with regularity in the nation's capital, where opportunities avail themselves daily at a cost of just $3/hour. "We competed and did our thing - and many of us went on to coach."

A skater from the age of four through until 19, haing achieved her gold free and gold dance, Kangur followed up her time as a competitor with three decades worth of figure skating coaching - still getting a taste of that lifestyle as a retired teacher who now assists with skating sessions for schools.

Small wonder given her love of the sport.

"Skating brings me so much joy," said Kangur, who was part of the group that joined Buttle in the grand finale. "Our gang, the friends, the times we had together, the road trips, the summer schools, living in a trailer with other skaters; it's just the best life."

While she still has a comfort for the tipped-edged blades, Kangur wasn't about to venture back in front of friends and former teammates without finding time for a little refresher.

"I've been keeping myself on the ice, but when I found out about this event, I joined a skating club for a month to brush up on a few more skills."

When all was said and done, more recent skaters such as Gillian Dwyer, Melanie Roque, Mya Weiman, Alexa Kneblewski, Erica Gomirato, Cassandra Mazzuca, Madison Burton and Danielle Coulombe found themselves alongside those who graced the ice in the eighties (Megan McDonald, Janna Doni, Jaime Sauve) and nineties (Natalie Jones, Terri Fisher, Katie & Victoria Benkovich, Jennifer Longarini, Alicia Swick), all bound by a common passion.

Remaining skaters who took to the ice were: Sophie Adam, Caitlynn McCaig, Eric Charette, Kya Weiman, Katrina & Alexandra Stankiewicz, Samantha Bechard, Danielle Derochie, Melissa & Daniela Cotesta, Erica-Lynn McDonald and Jacquelyn Simard - in addition to current club members.

The event also allowed current coaches Heather Basso, Marianne Laporte and Devra Kneblewski to mingle with retired pros Wendy Philion, Donna Pascal and Garth Devon.