Nikolai Balabardin

KFSC Skating Director and KFSC Future Stars Coordinator

Credentials:

• Certified Intermediate StarSkate Provincial Coach (ISPC)
• Level 3 Coach
• Coaching since 2004
• Coaches all levels of skaters – Beginners to Sr. Competitive
• Specializes in Fresskate, Choreography & Music Editing
• Pro-motion Harness Coach
• Russian National & International Competitor at the Junior and Senior Levels
• Bachelor of Physical Education Degree – specializing in Figure Skating coaching
• “Feature” skater in Disney on Ice
• Principal skater with Russian “Ballet on Ice”
• Development Team seminar coach

Email: nsb_sk8@yahoo.ca

Ella Gray

Ella joined our coaching team in September 2021.  She is from Calgary, Alberta, and started skating in CanSkate at age 8 (which she mentions is a little bit later than most skaters start!) and then moved through the Star Skate program.  In addition to skating singles she also skated with a synchronized skating team for 5 years and competed at 2 national synchronized skating competitions! 

Ella has been coaching for 5 years, starting in high school with her home club in Calgary.  She recently attended a Regional coaching course and is currently working towards completing her Regional coaching certification. 

Ella’s favourite thing about skating is JUMPS! 

What is an interesting fact about Ella?  She has lived on 3 different continents!  (Asia, Europe and North America.) 

Helene Carle

Helene joined our coaching team in April 2025. Originally from Georgetown, Ontario, Helene is a five-time National-level competitor, including two Senior National appearances, and was a professional figure skater with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. 

Helene began coaching at age 16 and has spent the past nine years coaching and choreographing across Southern Ontario. She has experience working with skaters of all levels, developing CanSkate programs, and leading off-ice training. Her favourite part of coaching is sharing her knowledge with young skaters, especially helping them master spins which was once her least favourite element. 

Helene holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Real Estate from the University of Guelph and is a licensed commercial real estate broker in Vancouver. In her free time, she enjoys pottery, yoga, and skating.