Ashlee Hunter
CanSkate Coach
Ashlee began skating at the age of eight, first stepping onto the ice right here at the Saint John Skating Club. Inspired by her mom and grandmother—both lifelong skaters—Ashlee quickly fell in love with the sport, the rink becoming her happy place. That passion has followed her throughout her life and continues to guide her today as a coach.
Ashlee trained with the Quispamsis Figure Skating Club until 2009 before returning to the Saint John Skating Club, where she skated and competed from 2010 to 2014. During that time, she also volunteered as a Program Assistant, laying the foundation for her future coaching career. In 2025, Ashlee proudly returned to the club once again—this time in a coaching role—bringing her journey full circle.
A seven-time Provincial Champion, Ashlee has earned multiple senior-level achievements, including Gold Interpretive and Gold Skills. One of her most memorable—and her personal favourite—competitive programs was The Contortionist, chosen by fellow Saint John Skating Club coach Kim MacVey. Wearing a rainbow blinged unitard, Ashlee performed flexible, creative, and truly never-before-seen field movements—a routine that was always a fan favourite at competitions and consistently earned gold.
In addition to her skating background, Ashlee has previous coaching experience as the Head PreCanSkate Coach at the Hampton Figure Skating Club. She holds her CanSkate Coach Certification, along with First Aid and CPR credentials, and is also a Licensed Practical Nurse. Her valuable experience in nursing has strengthened her natural sense of care and encouragement, while giving her a calm presence that she carries with her onto the ice.
For Ashlee, the most rewarding part of coaching is supporting young skaters as they take those first nervous steps onto the ice and watching their confidence grow each week. Being a warm, friendly face and an encouraging cheerleader in their corner is something she finds incredibly meaningful. Some of her proudest moments have come from seeing skaters she taught as beginners develop into competitive athletes—many of whom still reach out to tell her she made a difference in their journey. Those connections remind her why coaching is so meaningful.
Coaching has taught Ashlee that every skater learns at their own pace and that progress—no matter how big or small—is always worth celebrating. Her experience has shown her that determination and consistency pay off, and she encourages her skaters to be patient and never give up on themselves. She reminds them that all skaters fall, but what matters most is how many times you get back up. Her advice to young athletes is simple: “Believe in yourself as much as I believe in you.”
Ashlee describes her experience in skating through three powerful themes: growth, confidence, and resilience. As a skater, these traits helped shape her achievements and fuel her love for the sport. As a coach, they define the environment she strives to create—one where skaters feel supported, empowered, and inspired to keep pushing forward.
Skating has always been a family passion for Ashlee. Her mom, Tanya Hunter, served as President of the Saint John Skating Club for many years, and now Ashlee’s own daughter is continuing the tradition—skating and serving as a Program Assistant for the club just as Ashlee once did.
For Ashlee, coming back to coach at the club where her skating journey first began is more than a role—it’s a full-circle moment rooted in history, family, and a lifelong passion for the sport.