Last Sunday, Anthony (right) had to sky-dive 10,000 feet from a helicopter while his brother Bates (left) took a water taxi to meet him at the landing zone in order to receive the next clue on "The Amazing Race."
ROBERT VOETS/CBS
Look closely at Sunday's "The Amazing Race" and you just might recognize a couple of the competitors – minus the helmets.
One team is made up of the hockey-playing brothers Bates and Anthony Battaglia who helped the Tulsa Oilers win its first Central Hockey League playoff series in 17 years back in 2011, according to Tulsa World sports writer Barry Lewis.
Anthony, 33, was acquired by the team in a trade during the 2010-2011 season. A couple of months later, his brother (Jonathan) Bates, 36, joined the team. The former plays fro the Huntsville Havoc and the latter is a longtime National Hockey League veteran who played in the 2002 Stanley Cup finals with the Carolina Hurricanes and has been a pro player for 15 years.
The brothers, who make their homes in Raleigh, N.C., are also the grandsons of the late notorious Chicago mobster Sam Battaglia, reported Lewis.
They made it through the first round of "The Amazing Race," finishing second, and will continue in the competition in Sunday's episode.
Here's a Q&A, followed by their audition video, with the brothers, courtesy CBS.
Name: Anthony Battaglia
Age: 33
Current occupation: Professional hockey player. I currently play for the Huntsville Havoc.
Describe what you do: I’m a professional hockey player and bar owner on the side.
3 words to describe you: Strong-willed, loud and athletic.
Favorite hobbies: Bowling, TV and movies, and extreme sports.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of? I’ve played in 600 pro hockey games and won a championship this past season with the New Jersey Outlaws.
What famous person reminds you of yourself? Prince William
What famous person reminds you of your teammate? He is famous! He played in the NHL.
What scares you most about traveling? Flying and being around strangers.
What excites you most about traveling? Going to new places.
Biggest challenge you and your teammate will face on “The Amazing Race” together: We are very competitive with each other and we always try to beat each other at everything.
Pet peeve about your teammate: He is always putting me down.
What country and place would you most like to visit and why? Italy, because it is so beautiful and my grandparents are from there.
What do you hope to accomplish by running “The Amazing Race” (other than winning $1 million)? I want to show my brother that I can win. Plus, the prizes would be nice.
Name: Bates Battaglia
Age: 36
Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.
Connection to your teammate: Brother
Current occupation: Former professional hockey player
Describe what you do: Played professional hockey and own a bar on the side. Played for Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, Washington Capitals and Toronto Maple Leafs.
3 words to describe you: Competitive, strong-willed and confident.
Favorite hobbies: Golf, hiking and TV
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of? Playing in the Stanley Cup Finals.
What famous person reminds you of yourself? Myself.
What famous person reminds you of your teammate? Prince William.
What scares you most about traveling? The language barrier.
What excites you most about traveling? Seeing new things and meeting new people.
Biggest challenge you and your teammate will face on “The Amazing Race” together: We are close but we fight at times and are competitive with each other.
Pet peeve about your teammate: He’s lazy.
What country and place would you most like to visit and why? Italy and Scotland, because I’m Italian and Scottish.
What do you hope to accomplish by running “The Amazing Race” (other than winning $1 million)? I think it would be a great way to see the world while having fun and competing.
Here's their audition tape for "The Amazing Race." The series air at 7 p.m. Sundays on CBS, channel 6.
