From CBC:

• Russian skaters join Battle of the Blades
  “This year, there’s a new twist to the CBC series that asks former NHL players to don figure skates and take up pairs skating — the Russians.” Read more.

From Bill Harris of the Toronto Sun:

• Fleury ready for CBC’s ‘Blades’
  “Battle of the Blades is just another way to break the ice in what Theoren Fleury considers the battle of his life. ‘This is a difficult subject that no one wants to talk about, from (Prime Minister) Stephen Harper to the people who have been abused,’ said Theory, an ex-NHL player who has identified himself as a former victim of sexual crimes.” Read more.

From a media release:

CBC REVEALS STAR-STUDDED BATTLE OF THE BLADES CAST

• NHL veterans and champion figure skaters pair up for a hot new season premiering Sept. 26 at 8 p.m.

The hit series BATTLE OF THE BLADES is back on CBC Television for another season that promises more drama, blood, sweat, tears and, for the first time, world-class international competitors from Russia and the United States. With a fresh crop of eight ex-NHL hockey players including Theo Fleury and Patrice Brisebois, as well as four returning and four new champion figure skaters including the legendary Ekaterina Gordeeva, the competition will be fierce for the top prize of $100,000, donated to the winners’ charity of choice.

The season begins Sunday, Sept. 26 at 8 p.m. local with BATTLE OF THE BLADES: GAME ON, a one-hour, behind-the-scenes training camp episode that follows the contestants as they prepare for the fierce competition ahead and reveals the eight pairs. The pressure-packed live competition begins the following Sunday, Oct. 3 at 8 p.m. local.

More than 1.7 million viewers on average watched BATTLE OF THE BLADES last season, making the series one of CBC’s most successful shows.

This season, fans can expect to see additional behind-the-scenes footage, candid interviews and an in-depth look at the skaters’ journeys – from learning to collaborate with their partners to overcoming obstacles as they face possible elimination. Each week, the pairs perform a new routine on a live Sunday night telecast. Viewers vote for their favourite pairs and the bottom two return the following night (Monday) for a skate-off. The judging panel decides which of the pairs gets to continue. The eliminated team gets $25,000 to give to their charity of choice.

Continue reading Battle of the Blades cast announced →

From Raju Mudhar of the Toronto Star:

• Meet the new Battle of the Blades teams
  “A phenomenal ratings success in its first season last year, Battle of the Blades’s unlikely pairing of hockey players and figure skaters was a reality TV slam dunk for the CBC. This year, the Star got an exclusive look at most of the new season’s participants, many of whom were meeting for the first time that day in May.” Read more.