It's about the Skater: Accomplishment. Atmosphere. Attitude. Together.
Join the Hockettes for the 2026-27 season!
Click the Tryout Registration Form button below to register.
Can’t attend the scheduled tryout?
We offer private make up tryouts and video tryout submissions. Please indicate your preference on the tryout registration form.
For questions about tryouts, please contact our On-Ice Director, Pam May: pamela.may@annarborfsc.org
Preliminary: Sunday, Feb. 22
Intermediate: Thursday, Feb. 26
Aspire: Sunday, March 1
All sessions will be held at the BIGGBY COFFEE Ice Cube - Ann Arbor: 2121 Oak Valley Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Hockettes: The World’s First-Ever Synchronized Skating Team
The sport of synchronized skating was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1956 by Dr. Richard Porter, the Hockettes made history as the world’s first-ever synchronized skating team, pioneering a brand-new discipline in the world of figure skating.
The Hockettes began performing during intermissions at University of Michigan hockey games and at ice shows hosted by the Ann Arbor Figure Skating Club. As the sport gained popularity, new teams formed, competitions emerged, and synchronized skating evolved into the globally recognized, elite discipline it is today.
What is Synchronized Skating?
Synchronized skating is a team sport that combines elements of freestyle, ice dance, and pairs skating. Teams of 8-20 skaters move in unison at high speeds, creating intricate patterns such as rotating wheels, circles, and intersecting formations. Skaters perform jumps, spins, and lifts, much like in pairs skating and ice dance, but the key difference is that these elements are executed as a team, making synchronized skating the ultimate team sport.
On January 17–18, 2026, the Hockettes Junior team represented the U.S. Junior National Team at the Spring Cup in Sesto San Giovanni, Italy. The team delivered two strong programs, achieved a season-high score of 184.64 points, and earned the bronze medal.
Feb. 21 - Onyx Competition (Aspire Teams)
Feb. 22 - Preliminary Open House
Feb. 26 - Intermediate Open House
March 1 - Aspire Open House
March 4-7 - U.S. Synchro Nationals (Junior)
March 13-14 - AAFSC Melody On Ice (All Teams)
March TBA - 2026-27 Tryouts
Hockettes welcome the legendary Pam May as our new Hockettes Synchronized Skating Director!
Read More: Hockettes Welcome New On-Ice Director
Connect with Coach Pam: pamela.may@annarborfsc.org
The Junior Hockettes competed at the 2025 Budapest Cup International Competition on March 14–15, 2025, winning gold and earning the title of international champions.
Tryouts for the Hockettes will be held in March 2026 for the 2026–27 synchronized skating season.
Click here to register for tryouts.
For questions about tryouts, please contact our On-Ice Director, Pam May: pamela.may@annarborfsc.org
The Hockettes Junior Team has been a cornerstone of the Hockettes program for over 25 years. As the program’s top-level team, the Junior Hockettes set the standard for excellence through skill, athleticism, precision, and artistry.
Throughout their history, the Junior team has proudly represented Team USA in over 20 international competitions and has competed at the World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships three times.
Many of our Junior skaters have grown up within the Hockettes program, starting at the beginner levels and progressing through the ranks over several years until reaching the Junior level. We also proudly welcome skaters from out of state and around the world. Over the years, our Junior team has included skaters from countries such as Finland, Sweden, Italy, Canada, and China.
Head Coach of Hockettes Junior Team:
Pam May pamela.may@annarborfsc.org
@hockettesjunior on Instagram and TikTok.
In 1956, the world’s first synchronized skating team was formed by Dr. Richard Porter, who became known as the "father of synchronized skating." Dr. Porter’s idea of precision skating (as it was originally called) came from observing young skaters trying to choreograph their steps and moves together. He brought a group of skaters together to see what they could do, marking the beginning of the first-ever precision skating team—the Hockettes.
In the early years, the Hockettes were known for performing between periods at University of Michigan hockey games and at Ann Arbor Figure Skating Club ice shows. As awareness of the Hockettes and the new sport grew within the skating community, more synchronized skating teams emerged, the sport expanded, and competitions began to take place.
Today, synchronized skating teams exist worldwide, and competitions take place globally. The sport has even been reviewed for Olympic eligibility, and there is hope it will one day become an Olympic sport.
Ann Arbor Figure Skating Club
2121 Oak Valley Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Phone: (734) 213-6768
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