Hockey & Figure Skating

Meet John Cain, Ralph Walker's Program Director of Figure Skating.

John Cain brings more than 20 years of coaching experience and an extensive background in competitive figure skating, athlete development, and education to his role as Figure Skating Director at Ralph Walker Ice Rink.

"I'm incredibly excited about the opportunity to work at Ralph Walker Ice Rink and make it a true community destination for New Haven. I look forward to developing programs for skaters of all ages, while building strong partnerships with New Haven Public Schools and local organizations," said Cain.

A U.S. Figure Skating Gold Medalist in both Freestyle and Moves in the Field, John competed at a high level throughout his skating career. His accomplishments include winning an Intercollegiate National Team Championship and earning the Senior Men's Silver Medal at the 2005 South Atlantic Championships.

John's education has also played an important role in shaping his approach to athlete development. He earned a B.S. in Exercise Science with a concentration in Figure Skating Science from the University of Delaware, an M.S. in Elementary Education from the University of New Haven, and completed a Sixth-Year program in Educational Leadership & Administration at Central Connecticut State University.

Throughout his coaching career, John has worked with skaters across a wide range of ages and abilities, from athletes learning their first foundational skills to advanced competitive skaters. His students have competed at events including the New England Regional Championships and the State Games of America Championships.

As a coach, John believes successful development extends beyond technical ability. His approach emphasizes discipline, resilience, confidence, and personal growth, while creating a positive and supportive environment where each skater can progress at an appropriate pace. Through individualized instruction, goal setting, and positive reinforcement, he works to develop both the physical skills and mental confidence athletes need to succeed.

Cain added, "My goal is to create opportunities for students, families, and the entire community to discover the joy of skating and make Ralph Walker a place New Haven can be proud of."

At Ralph Walker, John oversees figure skating development and provides instruction in Basic Skills, Skating Skills, Freestyle from Pre-Preliminary through Senior, and Pro-Motion Harness training.

As Figure Skating Director, John's goal is to build a program where skaters of all levels have an opportunity to learn, develop, compete, and build a lifelong connection to figure skating.