From a media release:
CBC ANNOUNCES BATTLE OF THE BLADES PAIRINGS IN ANTICIPATION OF ON-ICE SHOWDOWN AT MAPLE LEAF GARDENS, BEGINNING OCTOBER 4
- Canada’s top figure skaters paired with rugged NHL legends
The battle lines have been drawn and pairs teams formed for CBC Television’s BATTLE OF THE BLADES, a fierce competition of grace and drama. The 14-part live performance competition series is a test of tremendous skill and showmanship and the pairs have been specifically chosen to enhance the very best in athletic and on-ice entertainment. They are:
Bourne and Lemieux – Ten-time Canadian National Dance Champion, Shae-Lynn Bourne and her partner, Victor Kraatz, were the first ever North American dance team to win a World Championship. She is teamed with former Conn Smythe trophy winner and agitator Claude Lemieux.
Brasseur and Anderson – World Champion, two-time Olympic Bronze Medalist and five-time Canadian Pairs Champion Isabelle Brasseur is partnered with six-time Stanley Cup winner and member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, Glenn Anderson.
Dubreuil and Richer – Montreal native and two-time World Silver Dance Medalist Marie-France Dubreuil is paired with two-time Stanley Cup winner Stéphane Richer. Her “no regrets†attitude will work well with six-foot-two rugged goal-scorer.
Higgins and Daneyko – World team member Jodeyne Higgins who has performed around the world as a professional adagio skater takes on three-time Stanley Cup Champion Ken Daneyko who brings an imposing presence to the ice.
Hough-Sweeney and Domi – Christine “Tuffy†Hough-Sweeney, who with her partner Doug Ladret were Canadian Pair Champions and World and Olympic team members, is teamed with another “toughy†— Tie Domi, one of the most notorious enforcers ever to mix it up on the ice.
Lenko and Probert – Canadian ice dancer Kristina Lenko has honed her skills performing with celebrities for four seasons on the hit U.K. televisions series Dancing on Ice. She is partnered with Bob Probert who over the years amassed a staggering 3,300 penalty minutes.
Salé and Simpson – One-half of the first pair in 42 years to win an Olympic Gold medal in pairs skating for Canada, Jamie Salé is teamed up with two-time Stanley Cup winner Craig Simpson who is currently an analyst for CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada.
Underhill and Duguay – World Champion and five-time National Pairs Champion Barb Underhill, who has been honoured with inductions to the Figure Skating Hall of Fame and Canada Sports Hall of Fame, is partnered with smooth-skating, debonair, seasoned veteran Ron Duguay.
