PJ Stock Competes in The Battle of the Blades in support of ALS

Montreal, September 18th, 2019- As of September 19th, former NHLer and television hockey broadcaster PJ Stock will take part in the 5th season of CBC’s Battle of the Blades, where athletes from two of Canada’s favourite sports — figure skating and hockey — pair up and perform in a live, high-stakes figure skating competition for the charity of their choice. With his partner Violetta Afanasieva, PJ will be competing to help shutout ALS, in memory of his brother Dean.

Skating to help shutout ALS

Like so many others, The Stock Family did the Ice Bucket Challenge in August 2014 to help create awareness for ALS. They never would have thought that a few months later, Dean, a father of three, would be diagnosed with ALS. The Stocks joined forces to create The Team Stock Fund with the ALS Society of Quebec to help raise awareness and funds to support other families living with the disease in Quebec and research via ALS Canada`s Research program. Dean fought his battle with strength, dignity and determination to make a difference while inspiring everyone around him to join their team. Dean passed away on September 23rd, 2016 at the age of 39 years old.

In memory of his little brother, PJ will compete with his brother at heart and in support of The Team Stock Fund. “Our family’s lives have changed forever but Dean gave us the love and strength to embrace what lies ahead of us. We have moved forward, with him and our memories in our hearts and with the promise that we will keep exploring every channel and every avenue in raising funds for the fight against ALS.” says PJ.

Go PJ Go!

Battle of the Blades will launch with a special two-hour premiere on Thursday, September 19 at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT) on CBC and the free CBC Gem streaming service, and will continue to air Thursdays at 8 p.m. (9 AT/9:30 NT). Individual performances from each episode will be posted on cbc.ca/battleoftheblades. At the end of each episode, viewers are encouraged to vote for their favourite pair, with voting closing at 12 p.m. ET the following Tuesday. People can vote one time per 24-hour period.

To learn more about Battle of the Blades, click here.

To learn more about ALS, The ALS Society of Quebec and Team Stock, click here

To follow PJ’s skating journey on social media :

#BOTB

Instagram: @cbcbattle

Facebook: /battleoftheblades

Twitter: @cbcbattle