Olympic gold medalist Danny O'Shea attended U.S. Figure Skating IceMen events as he made his way up the competitive pipeline. Now as the chief ambassador of the program, O'Shea is excited to share his experiences and ideas with the current crop of male skaters.

U.S. Figure Skating sat down with the pairs star for a Q&A regarding his new IceMen role.

What is your experience with and goals for the IceMen program?
I went to IceMen events as a young skater and they were always so much fun and so encouraging. Being in a room full of guys who loved skating as much as I did meant a lot. Now I get to help build that for the next generation. Our new virtual call series kicks off Sunday, Nov. 1, and we've got sessions lined up through the spring on everything from mental toughness to off-ice training, plus a U.S. Championships watch party and a parents panel.

Why is it important for young male skaters to have role models?
When you see someone like you accomplishing the things you dream about, it makes you believe you can do it, too. Guys are still a minority in this sport, and a lot of them train at rinks where they're the only boy. Creating a community where young men can see each other, connect and push each other gives them a reason to stick with it.

What is your message to boys as they progress in the sport?
Own your skating. I quit at 12 and came back at 13 because I decided it was mine, not anyone else's. There will be setbacks, injuries and people who don't get it. Keep showing up. The path doesn't have to be a straight line to end up somewhere great.

What are some things that can be done to encourage and retain young male skaters?
Connect them. Right now, youth, collegiate and adult men's skating mostly live in separate worlds. If a 12-year-old can get on a call with a college skater or a national team athlete and realize there's a whole group of guys doing this, that changes how he sees his future in the sport. Visibility, community and having a few older guys in your corner go a long way.

About IceMen
IceMen is U.S. Figure Skating's community for boys and young men in the sport. Relaunching for the 2026–27 season, the program is designed to create connection, belonging, mentorship and leadership opportunities while celebrating the many ways boys and men contribute to figure skating.

Why Join IceMen?

Participation in the IceMen program provides exclusive opportunities to connect, learn and grow both on and off the ice through:

• One-of-a-kind virtual events featuring National Team athletes, notable alumni and leaders from across figure skating
• Opportunities to build meaningful relationships with peers and mentors
• Community-building experiences that foster friendship, camaraderie and a sense of belonging
• Leadership development and ambassador engagement opportunities
• Exclusive IceMen experiences at select competitions, camps and events
• An annual IceMen gift designed to build identity, recognition and pride in the program

Who Can Join? IceMen is open to male U.S. Figure Skating participants who have passed at least their first U.S. Figure Skating test. The program is designed for skaters seeking connection, mentorship, leadership opportunities and a supportive community within the sport.

Cost: Annual IceMen participation fee is $50 per season.

Click here to learn more about the IceMen program.