Guelph Storm skating coach Barb Underhill and former Sudbury Wolves star Ron Duguay represent "Team OHL" on CBC's Battle of the Blades which began last Sunday night. Duguay spent four seasons with the Wolves scoring 361 points in 245 games. Other OHL grads competing include Tie Domi (Peterborough, 1986-89) and Bob Probert (Brantford, Hamilton, and Sault Ste. Marie, 1982-85) who was voted off after the first episode.
The following article was originally posted in the Guelph Tribune on October 2 by Paul Osborne.
Storm Skating Coach in Battle of the Blades
Guelph Storm skating coach and former World Champion pairs skater Barbara Underhill is part of the CBC’s Battle of the Blades which begins Sunday night.
The show sees female figure skaters teamed with former NHL players as they attempt to complete figure skating routines that are judged by fans and a panel. A Dancing With the Stars on ice, if you will.
Underhill’s partner is Ron Duguay.
“We have been training for three weeks for three hours a day,” said the 46-year-old Underhill. “I’m so excited to be on the ice because it’s been 11 years since I retired and I’ve missed it every day.”
Skating with ex-hockey players has presented some unique challenges.
“Ron has been working hard to get his turns down and hockey players usually have both feet on the ice where figure skaters are often on just one,” said Underhill.
“It’s also easier to lift someone on figure skates because the blade extends further out the back than hockey skates, giving the lifter more stability.”
Other teams in the made-for-TV contest include Tie Domi and two-time Olympian Christine Hough-Sweeney, Craig Simpson and Jamie Sale, Isabelle Brasseur and Glen Anderson and Shae-Lynn Bourne and Claude Lemieux.
Underhill and Duguay are the oldest pair in the competition and she’s hoping Storm fans will support them at www.cbc.ca/battle
