Former Maple Leafs forward Bates Battaglia may be throwing punches again soon, just not in the NHL, or against an opponent.

Bates and his brother Anthony are teammates on the upcoming season of The Amazing Race, which premieres Feb. 17. On the show, contestants tackle various challenges as they race around the globe in competition with other teams.

In their audition tape to the show, the Battaglia brothers, who live together, joked about how being hockey players will affect their race.

Anthony Battaglia, who currently plays for the Huntsville (Ala.) HavocHuntsville (Ala.) Havoc, popped out his front teeth and smiled.

“He’s gonna have the same smile as me maybe by the end of the show,” he said, laughing as he teased his older brother.

“Unlikely, unlikely,” Bates, 37, interrupted. “I am a little bigger than he is, and obviously a lot tougher.”

“Oh geez, here we go,” responded Anthony, 33.

Bates Battaglia played for the Leafs for two seasons. He appeared in all 82 games in the 2006-07 season, when he had 31 points.

In the 2007-08 season, he played only 13 games, and did not have any points. He was a minus-13 for the year.

All told, he amassed 198 points with four different teams in 580 NHL games.

His best year in the NHL was with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2001-02, when the team lost to the Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup final.

The Battaglia brothers banked on their professional hockey experience in their audition, arguing it will help them through the physical parts of the race.

“As far as the intellectual, we may have some issues there,” Bates said with a laugh. “I don’t think hockey players are exactly known for their intellect.”

In an interview with NHL.com after making the show, Bates said he’s been a fan of the show for a while and thought he’d audition just for fun.

“I just thought I would throw my name in the hat and see what happens,” he said. “It worked out. I’m pretty pumped up about it.”

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Bates told NHL.com that, as with hockey, he has to be ready for whatever the show might throw at him.

“It’s the same thing in hockey, especially the playoffs. You’ve got to be ready for anything,” he said. “You take one night off and you’re done.”