Education
He finished his professional career in 2012 with Karlskrona Hong Kong of the Swedish HockeyAllsvenskan.
He finished his professional career in 2012 with Karlskrona Hong Kong of the Swedish HockeyAllsvenskan.
Battaglia was drafted by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in the sixth round (132nd overall selection) of the 1994 National Hockey League Entry Draft. Growing up, Bates played hockey in Park Ridge, Illinois, under Coach Tom Godwin. He played on the three-time National Collegiate Athletic Association National Championship Lake Superior State University Lakers from 1994–1997.
On March 18, 1997, Battaglia too was traded by the Mighty Ducks to the Hartford Whalers for Mark Janssens.
He made his professional debut in the 1997-1998 season with the Beast of New Haven of the AHL before making his National Hockey League debut with the Carolina Hurricanes in their inaugural season. On March 11, 2003, Battaglia was traded by the Hurricanes to the Colorado Avalanche for Radim Vrbata.
His tenure was short as he was traded at the start of the 2003-2004 season by the Avalanche, along with Jonas Johansson to the Washington Capitals for Steve Konowalchuk. On October 2, 2005, Battaglia was signed by the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League to a one-year deal.
The following season, Battaglia signed as a free agent to parent club the Toronto Maple Leafs to a one-year contract on July 2, 2006.
Battaglia re-signed as a free agent with the Leafs to a two-year contract on July 2, 2007. On December 13, 2007, Battaglia was assigned to the Toronto Marlies on a conditioning stint, however he was left in the minors for the duration of the season. Battaglia was again assigned to the Marlies at the start of the 2008-2009 season and posted a respectable 51 points in 59 games for the Marlies.
A free agent in the 2009-2010 season, Battaglia signed with AHL team Syracuse Crunch on November 11, 2009.
After 29 games with the Crunch, Bates left the club after signing a contract for the rest of the season with Finnish team Jokerit of the Master of Science-liiga as an injury replacement on January 28, 2010. On December 8, 2010, Battaglia signed a 25-game professional try-out contract with the AHL"s Rochester Americans.
After contributing only 3 points in 20 games with the Amerks, Battaglia was released and signed with Lausitzer Füchse of the German 2nd Bundesliga. On November 2011, Battaglia signed with Karlskrona Hong Kong of the Swedish Division 1.
Through the 2011-2012 season, Battaglia scored 23 points in 25 games to help Karlskrona gain promotion to the HockeyAllsvenskan.
Battaglia finished third among import players in league scoring behind Andrew Fournier and Bill Keenan.
Battaglia established himself as a National Hockey League regular with the Hurricanes, enjoying his most successful period as a third of the British Broadcasting Corporation line (Brind"Amour, Battaglia, Cole) during their 2001–2002 Stanley Cup run. Bates and his brother Anthony competed in season 22 of The Amazing Race and won the Amazing Race 22 title and the one million dollar grand prize over newlyweds of Max & Katie.
