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The grace and athleticism of Canada’s most accomplished and decorated female figure skaters are set to join the star studded cast of CBC Television’s BATTLE OF THE BLADES, premiering in October. With a combined total of 17 Olympic and World Champion medals, Jamie Salé, Shae- Lynn Bourne, Isabelle Brasseur, Barbara Underhill, Marie-France Dubreuil, Christine Hough-Sweeney, Jodeyne Higgins and Kristina Lenko have reached the pinnacle of success in amateur and professional figure skating. Now these elite athletes face their biggest challenge yet - making eight NHL hockey stars understand the nuances and skill of pairs skating.

In addition to these world class female figure skaters, NHL’ers Sean Burke, Ken Daneyko and Ron Duguay have been added to complete the men’s roster. They join previously announced Glenn Anderson, Tie Domi, Bob Probert, Craig Simpson and Stéphane Richer in a fierce competition of athleticism, drama and intrigue. Due to a recent injury, Lanny McDonald is unable to participate in the competition.

CBC Television announced today the first competitors to sign on to participate in CBC Television’s Battle of the Blades. NHL Hall of Famer and fan favourite Lanny McDonald, NHL Hall of Famer and six-time Stanley Cup-winner Glenn Anderson, legendary enforcers Tie Domi and Bob Probert, two-time Stanley Cup-winner and Hockey Night in Canada analyst Craig Simpson, and two-time Stanley Cup-winner Stéphane Richer will go head-to-head in this fierce competition. These hockey heavyweights will be paired with some of Canada’s top female figure skaters in a competitive and thrilling pairs showdown beginning this October.

"Whatever else you can say about Canadians, they know hockey and they know figure skating – and are passionate about both," said Kirstine Layfield, CBC Television’s executive director of network programming. "We’re going to bring the two together in a way that’s never been seen before. It’s going to be great."