Bates Battaglia and Anthony Battaglia
The latest edition of The Amazing Race was won by two hockey-playing brothers, one of whom previously played for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Following chaotic treks across five continents and 10 countries, the last travelers standing in the reality-TV competition were former Maple Leafs winger Bates Battaglia and his brother Anthony, who took home the $1-million (U.S.) grand prize.
On Sunday night's 22nd season finale, the Battaglia brothers finished ahead of newlyweds Max and Katie and roller-derby moms Mona and Beth in the finale of the CBS series.
The final leg of the global scavenger hunt took place in Washington, D.C. and required the remaining four two-person teams to embark on a series of challenges, including one team member being suspended by a wire over the major-league ballpark Nationals Park in order to drop a baseball to their mascot-clad teammate below.
Hailing from Chicago, both Battaglia brothers have played hockey professionally. Bates broke into the NHL in 1997 and enjoyed stints with the Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, Washington Capitals and Maple Leafs. His younger brother Anthony is currently playing for the Huntsville Havoc of the Southern Professional Hockey league. Their fellow competitors referred to them as "the hockey brothers" throughout the series.
Before the finale, the Battaglia brothers collected four first-place finishes in The Amazing Race. Along with the $1-million grand prize, the pair also won trips to London, Bora Bora and Thailand and an additional $15,000 cash.