Eldredge takes his talents on tour with Stars on Ice

When Todd Eldredge bid farewell to his Olympic career at the Salt Lake Games, he hinted that change was ahead for his skating.

Fans can see what he meant tonight, when Eldredge performs as a new cast member for Stars on Ice at 8 at the Palace.

The tour, which also features 1998 Olympic gold medalist Tara Lipinski and other former Olympic champions such as Kristi Yamaguchi, Katarina Witt and Ilia Kulik, is a new venture for Eldredge. He signed a six-year deal with the tour last week, ending his nine-year run with Tom Collins' Champions on Ice tour, which comes to Joe Louis Arena next month.

"It was a great nine years with Champions on Ice," said Eldredge, 30, from Lake Angelus. "But I wanted to do something different. Stars on Ice does a little bit different show, more interaction with the skaters. And this year, with it being Kristi's last year, I wanted to join it."

Eldredge, a six-time U.S. champion and 1996 world gold medalist, wrapped up his third and last Olympics two weeks ago when he placed sixth at Salt Lake City.

At the Palace, Eldredge will skate two solos. He said he hadn't been in the show long enough to learn any of the intricate choreography in the team numbers. He joined the tour only four days ago.

Eldredge hosted a skating clinic for Special Olympics on Thursday at his home club, the Onyx in Rochester.

"Something new like Stars feels kind of like starting the first day of school," Eldredge said. "Skating at the Palace is going to be a treat. It's practically in my backyard from where I live."