And the winner of Season 5 is...

It's been a long journey for the hockey and figure skating pairs on Season 5 of Battle of the Blades. Over the past few weeks, we've had the pleasure of watching our competitors grow and learn from each other. Battle is a competition that takes professional athletes outside their comfort zones — especially the hockey players, most of whom had never laced up a pair of figure skates before. Trips, stumbles and falls were inevitable. Sheldon Kennedy was the first to toe pick at boot camp. 

Sheldon and Kaitlyn Weaver took home the championship trophy and $100,000 for their charity, Canadian Tire Jumpstart. From the first week, they were the team to beat with their joyful, risk-taking routines.

Kaitlyn Weaver and Sheldon Kennedy perform to U Can’t Touch This

5 years ago

Duration 1:58

Kaitlyn Weaver and Sheldon Kennedy perform to U Can’t Touch This by MC Hammer on Week 5

After their first performance, it was clear that Sheldon and Kaitlyn had chemistry to the max. Their performance of Wake Me Up by Avicii blew the judges away. The pair did twizzle after twizzle and remained in-sync throughout the entire performance, receiving their first standing ovation from everyone in-house. Judge Colby Armstrong rated the performance "massive beauty." 

Week 2 rolled around, with fans eagerly anticipating what #ShellyCansKait (their pair name) would do next. Kaitlyn and Sheldon skated to Hot Stuff by Donna Summers and blew the judges away once again. 

Week 3 brought us one of the judges' favourite performances since the beginning of the competition. Sheldon and Kaitlyn leapt out of their comfort zones, slowing it down for another week by performing to Jolene by Dolly Parton. 

Meanwhile, on social media, the pair took time to respond and connect with their growing fan base on a personal level, keeping up the momentum between skates. 

Week 4 brought us one of the seasons most emotional ice dance performances. The pair performed to Smile from the Modern Times soundtrack for Stage and Screen Week. 

"To me, growth is about risk. When you take that risk, it brings a smile," said Sheldon. "For a lot of my life, I didn't smile. So I think this is very relevant to what story we've chosen to tell here." 

The judges gave the performance the first, and only, perfect score of the season. Colby said, "I honestly felt like I was watching a movie in real life. That's how good it was. Honestly, that's the best thing I've seen in four weeks sitting here." 

In Week 5 the pair brought the crowd to their feet during their performance of You Can't Touch This by MC Hammer. Both competitors pulled off something they had never done before: a terrifying and challenging move called the headbanger. 

This is a move that Kaitlyn admits she had never tried before in her career. The pair had shown that not only were they experimenting each week, but were pushing themselves further than ever before.

Guest judge and professional figure skater Meagan Duhamel praised Kaitlyn. "I know here on the show we're always talking about the hockey players going out of their comfort zone, but what about Kaitlyn the ice dancer going for a heabdbanger! Real pair skaters skating. That was amazing!" 

Week 6 brought Sheldon and Kaitlyn's most emotional performance yet as they skated to Still Standing by Elton John. In the first week, Sheldon shared his personal story of resilience: After years of abuse at the hands of his Major Junior Hockey League coach,  Sheldon found the strength to come forward with his story, and was the first to press charges against his abuser. He has since become a powerful advocate for fellow survivors of childhood sexual assault. 

For Sheldon this song was a personal anthem that he dedicated to fellow survivors. "This song kind of sums up my life. After everything we've been through, and I've been through, and people who might be struggling. You can find a way through it if you can find a way to keep standing," said Sheldon in a Twitter video he posted prior to his performance.

You could see the dedication and heart that was put into this performance out there on the ice as the two weaved in and out of moves, showing the depth of their emotion for all of Canada to see. Head judge Kurt Browning referred to the pair as "a one-stop-shop for good skating and entertaining." Guest judge Scott Moir was left speechless by this performance, and called Sheldon an inspiration to all Canadians. "What you did tonight is above the sport, and above this competition. Thank you very much." 

The season's winning pair was decided by the voters. 

After weeks of practice, critique, hard work and incredible entertainment, Kaitlyn and Sheldon were announced the winners of Season 5. Their on-ice chemistry and ability to bring the crowd and judges to standing ovations week after week were clear indicators from the beginning that this team had what it takes to be the latest champions of Battle of the Blades.