Bates Battaglia

Jonathan "Bates" Battaglia is an American professional ice hockey left winger. He most recently played with Karlskrona HK of the Swedish HockeyAllsvenskan after having played in the National Hockey League with the Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, Washington Capitals and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Battaglia was drafted by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in the sixth round of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft. Growing up, Bates played hockey in Park Ridge, IL, under Coach Tom Godwin. He played on the three-time NCAA National Championship Lake Superior State University Lakers from 1994-97.

On March 18, 1997, Battaglia was traded by the Mighty Ducks to the Hartford Whalers. He made his professional debut in the 1997-98 season with the Beast of New Haven of the AHL before making his NHL debut with the Carolina Hurricanes in their inaugural season. Battaglia established himself as a NHL regular with the Hurricanes, enjoying his most successful period as a third of the BBC line during their 2001-02 Stanley Cup run.

On March 11, 2003, Battaglia was traded by the Hurricanes to the Colorado Avalanche, and then moved to the Washington Capitals at the start of the 2003-04 season.

During the 2004 NHL lockout, Bates Battaglia joined his younger brother Anthony on the Mississippi Sea Wolves of the ECHL for the 2004-05 season in February 2005.

In October 2005, Battaglia was signed by the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League to a one-year deal. The following season, Battaglia signed as a free agent to parent club the Toronto Maple Leafs to a one-year contract in July 2006. Battaglia re-signed as a free agent with the Leafs to a two-year contract in July 2007.

In December 2007, Battaglia was assigned to the Toronto Marlies on a conditioning stint, and was again assigned to the Marlies at the start of the 2008-09 season and posted 51 points in 59 games for the Marlies.

A free agent in the 2009-10 season, Battaglia signed with AHL team Syracuse Crunch in November 2009. After 29 games with the Crunch, Bates left the club after signing a contract for the rest of the season with Finnish team Jokerit of the SM-liiga as an injury replacement in January 2010.

On December 8, 2010, Battaglia signed a 25-game professional try-out contract with the AHL's Rochester Americans. Battaglia then signed with Lausitzer Fchse of the German 2nd Bundesliga. In March 2011, he returned to North America and signed to again join his brother, Anthony, at the Tulsa Oilers of the Central Hockey League.

In November 2011, Battaglia signed with Karlskrona HK of the Swedish Division 1. Through the 2011-12 season, Battaglia scored 23 points in 25 games to help Karlskrona gain promotion to the HockeyAllsvenskan. Battaglia finished third among import players in league scoring behind Andrew Fournier and Bill Keenan.

In 2013, Bates and his brother Anthony teamed up to compete on the 22nd season of "The Amazing Race." After traveling more than 30,000 miles throughout the competition, the brothers won the show, taking home the $1 million prize.