Most skaters begin their journey on the ice as toddlers. Ryan Hu’s path was different—and harder. Born in Montreal to Chinese parents and raised in Melbourne, Australia, Ryan didn’t lace up skates until he was nine years old. 

What started as a weekend outing with his dad quickly grew into a passion that reshaped his life.

“My father was very busy at work at that time. I barely saw him during the week, but on weekends he carved out time for just us,” Ryan remembers. “We would head to the rink, and those hours became our little world together.”

However, training in Melbourne meant leaving the house at 4 a.m. to skate before school. They had to leave early due to the distance of the skating rink from their place. With limited rinks in the city, ice time was scarce, and every practice came with long commutes. But Ryan never complained. Even as a child, he had the determination to chase his new dream.

A Family Move and a Pandemic Twist

In December 2019, just weeks before COVID-19 shut down the world, Ryan and his mom moved to the U.S. to join his father whose job transferred him to the United States. They settled in Pennsylvania, but his coach, Viktor Pfeifer, was based across the state line in Delaware. The family added 45-minute drives each way to their already demanding schedule.

When Pfeifer later moved to Colorado Springs, Ryan’s family didn’t give up. Instead, they traveled back and forth to Colorado—sometimes spending months at a time there—so Ryan could continue his development. Training alongside elite skaters in Colorado solidified his love for skating and pushed him to raise his level. “That environment lit a fire in him,” Ryan’s mom Rosie recalls. “It made him realize he wanted skating to be his life.”

Balancing School and Skating

High school brought new challenges. Ryan attended a boys’ school where every student was required to participate in after-school sports. Skating didn’t count. Suddenly, the hours he had once devoted to training were being absorbed by cross-country and other mandatory team activities.

“It was a turning point,” his mom explains. “He tried other school sports, but it made him realize how much he missed skating. We both knew it was what he truly loved.”

During this period, Ryan temporarily stepped away from skating. But the break only deepened his appreciation for the sport. His former choreographer, Irina Romanova, encouraged him to consider ice dance—a discipline that would harness his elegance and artistry as a singles skater while opening new doors for growth.

Partnership with Michelle Deych

Finding the right partner in ice dance is never easy. Timing, goals, and even family commitments all have to align. After stepping away from singles, Ryan began exploring ice dance at the encouragement of his coaches. Around the same time, Michelle Deych was searching for a partner. Their first tryout showed potential, but it wasn’t until a second session that everything clicked. Both skaters recognized the trust and musicality they shared, and their coaches saw the foundation for something special.

“Partnership is about more than matching skills—it’s about communication and trust,” Ryan explains. “My favorite element quickly became the lift, since it beautifully demonstrates the trust and cooperation that define a true partnership.”

With Michelle, Ryan discovered not only a teammate but also someone who matched his determination to grow. Together, they’ve been steadily building confidence, program by program, and proving themselves as one of the most promising new U.S. junior dance teams.

Competitive Highlights

Since forming their partnership, Ryan and Michelle have wasted no time making their mark on the competitive scene. Transitioning from Novice to Junior is one of the toughest leaps in U.S. figure skating—it means facing stronger international fields, more complex technical requirements, and the pressure of larger stages. Despite starting their partnership just two seasons ago, Ryan and Michelle have risen quickly, collecting podium finishes at Nationals and earning the opportunity to represent Team USA abroad.

Their most recent outing at the 2025 Junior Grand Prix in Bangkok marked another milestone in their young partnership. In the rhythm dance, Michelle and Ryan delivered their strongest performance of the season, earning a season-best 56.05 points. Highlights included a clean set of synchronized twizzles that scored 7.97, a solid midline step sequence (8.25), and a rotational lift that drew positive grades of execution (6.29).

The JGP Bangkok rhythm dance showed the team’s growing ability to combine technical precision with performance quality. Finishing fourth in a competitive international field, the result reinforced their upward momentum and their readiness to contend with some of the strongest junior dance teams in the world.

Each competition has carried lessons: learning to fight through nerves on the Junior Grand Prix stage, proving consistency at the U.S. Championships, and experiencing the thrill of international audiences. Their results showcase not just scores, but a steady upward trajectory that reflects Ryan’s perseverance and Michelle’s artistry. 

Watch Ryan and Michelle’s rhythm dance at the Junior Grand Prix in Bangkok 2025:

Here’s a video of Michelle and Ryan’s free dance at the Junior Grand Prix in Riga 2025:

Ryan and Michelle have proven themselves as one of the most promising young teams in the U.S.  Here’s a look at some of their key milestones:

• 2025 Junior Grand Prix (Bangkok) – 4th
• 2025 Junior Grand Prix (Latvia) – 6th
• 2025 Lake Placid Ice Dance International, Junior – 4th
• 2025 U.S. Championships, Junior – 4th
• 2025 U.S. Ice Dance Final, Junior – 9th
• 2024 Junior Grand Prix (Latvia) – 10th
• 2024 U.S. Championships, Novice – 2nd
• 2024 U.S. Ice Dance Final, Novice – 3rd
  

Ryan’s favorite memory so far came at the 2025 U.S. Championships:

 “My first Junior year broke me open, but not apart. I fought for my dream with everything I had. It wasn’t perfect or polished—it carried cracks, weight, and memory. But all worth it when I stood on the 2025 National Championships podium.”

His mom Rosie remembers with fondness Ryan’s competition in Lake Placid, where he and Michelle won their first junior event. “They had no expectations,” Rosie says. “But the way they skated touched the audience—it was pure joy.”

Beyond the Ice: Giving Back Through Innovation

Now based in Michigan, Ryan trains under a top coaching team of Igor Shpilband while attending Dwight Global Online School, where he balances rigorous academics with daily training that often runs until early afternoon. 

Balancing skating, studies and life is tough.

“It’s the hardest part of my life,” Ryan admits. “I love hanging out with friends, but between skating and school, I barely have any time left. The only solution is to be efficient, so I can save some time to spend with them.” 

Ryan’s commitment to skating extends well beyond his own competitive goals. At the rink, he coaches Learn to Skate classes and even puts his design skills to work, creating banners and logos for his training team at different events. He also manages the Instagram account for the Novi Ice Dance Team, ensuring that the stories of his fellow athletes reach a wider audience.

This past summer, he launched an initiative to help athletes better connect with their sponsors and communities through social media. After interviewing industry leaders from Skates U.S. and John Wilson/MK Blades, Ryan created a Social Media Playbook for Sponsored Skaters —a practical guide on how athletes can authentically thank their sponsors while growing the sport.

His four core principles are:

• Be Consistent – Post reels and stories regularly to stay visible.
• Be Authentic – Share real moments like lacing up boots or practice struggles.
• Show the Joy – Let audiences see the fun, laughter, and energy of skating.
• Educate & Inspire – Offer tips and insights to bring value to fans and brands alike.
  

“Skating success isn’t just measured in medals—it’s measured in moments shared,” Ryan wrote in his Open Letter to the Skates U.S. Community. His goal is to inspire fellow skaters to view social media not as a burden, but as a tool to build lasting connections and help the sport thrive.

But Ryan’s most significant contribution comes through his role as Founder and President of the Bladebond Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to keeping skating accessible. What began as a simple idea—passing down gently used skates—has grown into an organization with chapters in Michigan, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and even back in Melbourne, Australia. The foundation collects high-quality, second-hand equipment, ranging from boots and blades to costumes, and places it in the hands of kids who might otherwise be forced to leave the sport due to cost. Some items are sold online, with proceeds directed to elite skaters in financial need through GoFundMe campaigns.

The inspiration came from Ryan’s own observations: too many young skaters were leaving the ice not because they lacked passion, but because they lacked resources. Determined to change that, he built Bladebond to give every child a chance to skate without financial barriers. Recently, the foundation partnered with Grace Centers of Hope, helping children begin their skating journey with the gear they need—free of charge.

Through Bladebond and his day-to-day volunteer work, Ryan is proving that giving back is as much a part of his skating identity as his programs on the ice. For Ryan, skating is not just a sport; it’s a lifelong passion and a community worth protecting. His mission is clear: to ensure that every child who loves the ice has the chance to stay on it.

The Mindset of a Competitor

Ryan doesn’t shy away from admitting what’s difficult.

“Twizzles have always been the hardest element in ice dance for me,” he says. “Coming from freestyle, they were completely new, and for my first two seasons, I made mistakes in almost every competition. But this season, after countless hours of practice, I finally feel confident in them.”

When asked what keeps him going on tough days, he puts it simply:

“I tell myself that more pain today is less pain tomorrow.”

And when it comes to inspiration, Ryan doesn’t look far:

“My training mates, because I can see them working hard every day.”

A Skater with Personality

Ryan’s journey has been filled with obstacles, but he’s also someone who doesn’t take himself too seriously. “Eating is my favorite thing in the world!” he says with a laugh, showing a lighter side that balances the intensity of training.

He also has a message for boys who may feel uncertain about entering the sport:

 “If you really want it, just do it. Some people look down on boys who skate but the ice doesn’t care who you are, it only reveals who you can become. Skating isn’t just about jumps and spins, it’s also about control and resilience. If you’re willing to push yourself, it doesn’t matter how talented you may be—you will succeed.”

Determination, Hard Work, and Perseverance

Ryan’s journey has already spanned continents, disciplines, and countless early mornings. Through it all, he’s built a reputation for grit and focus—qualities that have carried him from a late start in Melbourne to representing Team USA on the international stage.

For Ryan, success isn’t just about medals—it’s about leaving an imprint on the sport he loves. Whether it’s helping other skaters navigate sponsorships through his Social Media Playbook or encouraging younger boys to give skating a chance, he is committed to giving back as much as he receives.

Rosie, his mom, puts it best:

“It’s not about the accolades. It’s his passion for the sport that drives him—and that passion will carry him wherever he wants to go.”

With resilience as his compass, Ryan Hu is carving a future that may inspire the next generation of skaters who start late, face obstacles, or wonder if they belong. Above all, Ryan says skating gives him something nothing else can:

“I love skating because it feels like flying.”

👉 Follow Ryan’s journey as he soars with Team USA on the international stage—while inspiring the next generation of skaters through passion, perseverance, and community.