More NHL: Scores | Standings | Odds | Fight-O-Meter | League Leaders | Rumors
Former NHL players Bates Battaglia and his brother Anthony are taking part in a different kind of competition. The two will make up one of 11 teams that will participate on The Amazing Race.
Originally from Chicago, Bates was drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the sixth round in 1994 and played the majority of his career with the Carolina Hurricanes. He had his best season with the Canes in 2001-02 when he had 21 goals and 25 assists in a full 82-game season. He last appeared in the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2007-08.
Since leaving the NHL he has toured the hockey world having spent time playing in Helsinki as well as Germany and in the AHL.
Anthony was a four-year player at Western Michigan before going on to bounce around various minor leagues in North America. In the 2012-13 season, Anthony played 11 games for the Williamsport Outlaws in the Federal Hockey League and three games for the Huntsville Havoc of the SPHL.
Here's the part where I tell you I'm a huge fan of The Amazing Race and say there's no reason why these two won't be viewed as favorites right from the start. They're relatively young, certainly fit and very competitive, as you'd expect any athletes. Sometimes it doesn't work out for the teams that are so competitive however as they easily get frustrated when they aren't ahead. Moreover, they are viewed as targets by other teams.
It is an advantage, albeit not a probably big one, that they are used to traveling and in the case of Bates, have traveled across parts of Europe. Guaranteed, though, they've never traveled like this.
The show starts Feb. 17 and airs Sundays after 60 Minutes on CBS.
For more hockey news, rumors and analysis, follow @EyeOnHockey and @StubitsCBS on Twitter, subscribe to our YouTube account and like us on Facebook.
