| Born: | Dec 13, 1975 | Draft: | 1994 Ducks, 132nd Overall |
| Hometown: | Chicago, Illinois | Position: | Left Wing |
| Known For: | WC Bronze Medal (2004) | Shoots: | Left |
| National Team: | United States | Current Status: | Retired |
Bates Battaglia (born December 13, 1975) is a retired American ice hockey player, having played his final year in the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2007-08 season. Drafted 132nd overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft, Battaglia would never play for Anaheim, instead breaking into the league during the 1997-98 season with the Carolina Hurricanes. Battaglia would spend six season in Carolina, posting career highs in goals (21), assists (25), and points (46) in 82 games during the 2001-02 season. He was traded to the Colorado Avalanche the following season, playing in 13 games and only appearing in 4 games the next season before a trade sent him to the Washington Capitals.
Battaglia played the final two seasons of his NHL tenure with the Maple Leafs, playing in all 82 games during the 2006-07 season. The following year, he would appear in just 13 games, spending the remainder of the season with their AHL affiliate Toronto Marlies. Battaglia opted to pursue his hockey career overseas, playing stints with Jokerit of the Finnish SM-Liiga, Lausitzer Füchse of the 2nd Eishockey-Bundesliga, and Karlskrona HK of the Division-1 Hockeyettan. Battaglia announced his retirement following the conclusion of the 2011-12 season.
Internationally, Battaglia has represented the United States on three separate occasions, once at the 1995 IIHF World Junior Championship, and twice at the Ice Hockey World Championships (1998, 2004). Battaglia won a bronze medal in 2004, when he registered two goals and two assists in nine games. He also appeared in the 22nd season of The Amazing Race, winning the competition alongside his brother, Anthony.
Bates Battaglia Statistics
Deeper Dive
Achievements
- NCAA (CCHA) Champion (1995)
- NCAA (CCHA) Best Defensive Forward (1996)
- AHL All-Star Game (1998)
- World Championship Bronze Medal (2004)
- Division 1 to HockeyAllsvenskan Promotion (Karlskrona) (2012)
- Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame (2014)