Historic Maple Leaf Gardens will play host to the CBC reality television show Battle of the Blades, in which hockey legends pair up with figure skaters to dance for charity.

"We have had an enormous reaction to the show being at the Gardens. A lot of people are excited to get the chance to walk into the Gardens," John Brunton, executive producer of the show said last night from Los Angeles.

"The building hasn't been gutted and we will bring in our own ice surface. Some seats are still there and we can easily replace the ones that are gone," he said.

"A lot of the charm of the building still exists."

LANNY MCDONALD

The last NHL game at the Gardens was played Feb. 13, 1999.

Hockey Hall of Famers Lanny McDonald and Glenn Anderson as well as former Maple Leafs fan favourite Tie Domi will team up with figure skating stars such as Jamie Sale, Shae-Lynn Bourne and Barbara Underhill to perform ice dancing routines in front of a live audience.

More participants in the show will be announced at a later date.

The show will be hosted by Ron MacLean of Hockey Night in Canada and former world figure skating champion Kurt Browning. Up to 5,000 spectators are expected at the Gardens show.

It will air in October.