From a media release:

THE 16 COMPETITORS ARE READY TO ROCK THE FIRST LIVE PERFORMANCE OF BATTLE OF THE BLADES

• BRETT HULL ANNOUNCED AS FIRST GUEST JUDGE
• THIS WEEK’S THEME: ROCK

The 16 BATTLE OF THE BLADES competitors are ready to rock the rink for the very first live performance show this Sunday at 8 p.m. on CBC Television. Joining the judging panel this week is one of the top goal scorers of all time, NHL all-star Brett Hull.

Brett Hull’s comments will bring added variety when combined with the remarks of permanent judges Sandra Bezic and Jeremy Roenick. All three will preside together on the judging panel and set the tone for the season as the show’s eight pairs compete for the very first time in the hopes of winning a $100,000 donation for their charity of choice. This week’s theme is Rock.

Destined for greatness, Brett Hull played his very first NHL game in 1986 with the Calgary Flames during the Stanley Cup finals and then went on to play for the St. Louis Blues, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings and Phoenix Coyotes. During his impressive career he scored 741 goals, placing him third overall in the NHL. He has won two Stanley Cups: one for the Dallas Stars in 1999 where he scored the winning goal; and one with the Red Wings in 2002. Hull was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009 and is currently the Executive Vice President of the Dallas Stars.

Viewers can learn more about the competitors at www.cbc.ca/battle, the official online portal for the BATTLE OF THE BLADES. In addition to videos, blogs and behind-the-scene photos, the site offers viewers the opportunity to become fans of their favourite pair and track each participant’s activity as they strive to be the final pair remaining at the end of the series.