From Dana Gee of Canwest News Service:

• NHLers, figure skaters team up in Battle of the Blades“Don’t expect former NHL tough guy Bob Probert to go all Plushenko when he and seven other NHLers team up with top-notch female figure skaters for the new CBC reality show Battle of the Blades. ‘I am not wearing any tights,” says Probert when asked about the often flamboyant costumes favoured by skating great Evgeny Plushenko.” Read more.

From Ted Shaw of the Windsor Star:

• The ‘gloves’ are off
  “Bob Probert and Tie Domi are at it again, going toe-to-toe on the ice. Only this time, there’s a twist: It’s the fight of the century on figure skates.” Read more.

An elimination-style challenge that teams up Canada’s top figure skaters with this country’s most daring and versatile hockey stars to compete against one another each week in a glitzy pairs figure skating performance. Hockey Night in Canada’s Ron MacLean and Canadian figure skating icon Kurt Browning host the series.

From Robyn Doolittle of the Toronto Star:

• Figure skating tips that will give you the edge
  “Battle of the Blades lets viewers judge which ice dancing team is tops.” Read more.

From Gayle MacDonald of the Globe and Mail:

• Battle of the Blades: faceoff on figure skates“But the person responsible for Domi’s fatigue and bruises is nothing but a slip of a thing – former Olympic figure skater Christine Hough-Sweeney – whom he’s been hoisting and twirling for the past three hours, trying to nail a routine the pair hope will ensure them a spot in the finals in CBC’s brand-new reality show, Battle of the Blades. The show debuts Sunday night, with voting episodes to air Monday nights for seven consecutive weeks.” Read more.

From John Doyle of the Globe and Mail:

• TELEVISION / WEEKEND VIEWING“CBC doesn’t have the Vancouver Winter Olympics, but it has the wackiest, sure-fire, ultra-Canadian show concept. Big lugs from the NHL learn to figure skate and are paired with tiny lady figure skaters.” Read more.

From Lindsay Ward of Sun Media:

• Blade stars set to do Battle
  “At last, there’s a way for retired NHL players to release all of their pent-up energy. And it involves very tight pants.” Read more.