'Battle of the Blades': Competitors, judges, eliminations, previous winners and how to watch in Canada

CBC's "Battle of the Blades" kickstarted its sixth installment on Oct. 22 as eight pairs teams compete to win $100,000 for the charity of their choosing. The competition returned to the airwaves in 2019 after a six-year absence, and this year's season was initially postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the competition, one hockey player will swap out their skates for figure skates — toe pick and all — and pair up with a figure skating champion in the competition. 

"It’s almost like walking on the moon compared to hockey," Kris Versteeg, who played 643 NHL games, told Postmedia's Wes Gilbertson. "Their blades are thicker. They’re flat. There are toe picks. They have, like, a three-inch heel. There’s just so much different about it.

"I’m starting to get the hang of it, I think. Then again, there are times where it’s humbling, where you’ll toe-pick and fall down.”

This season is slightly different than previous ones, as there are not be any fans in attendance to cheer them on.

"A crowd can be intimidating when you’re waiting backstage behind the curtains, but a crowd can also bring you to such great heights," said Kaitlyn Weaver, who is pairing up for former NHL winger Bryan Bickell. "[It] will be very special even without a crowd. They're going to see it even if they're not with us in the building."

Here's everything you need to know for "Battle of the Blades."

How to watch 'Battle of the Blades'

• Date: Thursdays
• Time: 8 p.m. (9 AT, 9:30 NT)
• TV channel: CBC
• Live stream: CBC Gem

The competition began with a two-hour special on Oct. 22 and runs every Thursday beginning at 8 p.m. (9 AT, 9:30 NT). Ron MacLean returns for another round of hosting duties and will be joined by Keshia Chante, who previously hosted BET's "106 & Park" and is currently a co-host for "Entertainment Tonight Canada." Kurt Browning, a four-time Canadian and World champion is the Elite Battle Expert.

Who is competing in the sixth season of 'Battle of the Blades?'

Four Stanley Cups, eight Olympic golds, a bunch of world championships and a whole lotta pride will be showcased in this season's battle. There will also be plenty of ribbing and chirping this year with ex-teammates going head to head, as Bryan Bickell and Kris Versteeg won those Cups with the Blackhawks, Meghan Agosta and Jennifer Botterill snagged two of their three Olympic golds together (2006, 2010) and Versteeg also skated with Wojtek Wolski with the Panthers. There are also the figure skaters going toe (pick) to toe (pick) as Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford and Andrew Poje and Kaitlyn Weaver split up and skate with new partners.

GETTING READY for tonight!!!! Is there anything @bbicks29 can’t do????? See you tonight Canada and help me #battleforBryan on CBC.@CBCbattle @MSSocietyCanada #bickellBrave #goodpartner ;) pic.twitter.com/6h7lHgVf5s

— Kaitlyn Weaver (@kaitlynonice) October 22, 2020

Who are the Season 6 judges?

This year the skaters will definitely have their work cut out for them when it comes to impressing the judges.

A guest judge last year, Scott Moir — yes, that Moir of Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue, the most decorated ice dancers in Olympic history — will serve as a full-time judge for Season 6.

He'll be joined by Season 5 runner-up, 2014 Olympic gold medalist and 2012 world champion Natalie Spooner and former Junior Canadian champion Elladj Baldé.

Which teams have been eliminated?

Each week, two teams skate for the right to continue in the competition based on viewer votes and the judges' scores. The team with the lowest score is sent packing.

Who are the previous winners of 'Battle of the Blades?'

The first year of the competition saw ex-NHLer Craig Simpson and 2002 Olympic pairs champion Jamie Sale take home the crown. Last season, Sheldon Kennedy and Kaitlyn Weaver bested her skating partner Andrew Poje and teammate Natalie Spooner.