Abdelrahman
LOS ANGELES — During a charity hockey event hosted by the LA Kings on Sunday, Justin Bieber made headlines by engaging in a playful conflict with former NHL player Jeremy Roenick.
“I can now say I got outmatched by Justin Bieber,” joked Roenick, who was recently inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. “What a fantastic day!”
The lighthearted exchange occurred after Roenick scored a goal, with Bieber, an avid hockey fan and dedicated supporter of the Toronto Maple Leafs, humorously pulling Roenick’s jersey over his head. This was among many jovial moments at Crypto.com Arena, aimed at raising funds and supporting recovery efforts for the wildfires that decimated neighborhoods in suburban Los Angeles, particularly in Pacific Palisades and Altadena, early in the year.
The Skate For LA Strong event paid tribute to the first responders who bravely tackled the devastating fires, which led to the loss of 29 lives and the destruction of about 16,200 structures. First responders and their families were the special guests at the charity games, featuring four teams of celebrities, firefighters, NHL alumni, and other notable figures.
The event brought together a diverse group of participants. Former MLB catcher Joe Mauer, a Minnesota native who leaned towards baseball and basketball, recounted his history with hockey, mentioning how his family decided against organized hockey due to its high costs. “I never thought I’d have to leave Minnesota to play a hockey game,” Mauer quipped. “And here we are!”
While there wasn’t a moment as memorable as the 2017 NHL All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles—when Chris Pronger famously drove Bieber into the glass—Bieber did receive a drop pass from Jeff Carter and attempted a toe-drag, though he was thwarted by Billy Blase, a 37-year-old Santa Monica native who played in the U.S. National Team Development Program and Yale.
Steve Carell, who played goalie in college before rising to fame with “The Office,” donned a defenseman’s role for Team Black, while actor Taylor Kitsch showcased his hockey talent from his Junior A days in the BCHL by scoring a slick goal for Team Blue. Comedic legend Danny DeVito contributed by coaching one of the teams and delivering humorous lines throughout the game.
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“We’re going all-in against these guys,” DeVito expressed about his pregame strategy for Team Blue. “I want to see some chiclets flying.” When a line change took place early in the game, the diminutive star noted, “That line wants to take a nap.”
“Stay disciplined,” shouted Will Ferrell, a passionate Kings supporter and season ticket holder, to his Team Black players during the game. “Stay disciplined. I’m not sure what that means, but just do it.”
Manon Rhéaume, a two-time world champion goalie for Canada who once played in two exhibition matches for the Tampa Bay Lightning, opted to avoid the net entirely.
“Especially in a game like this,” Rhéaume remarked with a smile. “No one is focused on defense.”
Overall, the atmosphere brimmed with levity and enjoyment.
David Boreanaz, a devoted Philadelphia Flyers fan and star of “Bones” and “SEAL Team,” elaborated, “Many people have lost their homes. The grief doesn’t just disappear; it lingers. Events like this provide a moment of healing and support for them.”
Team Red, coached by actors Vince Vaughn and Cobie Smulders, dominated the competition, winning both games by shutout. Vaughn humorously credited Smulders for their success, stating that she was “doing the little things that matter. Consistently.” Smulders, whose family lost their home in the Palisades fire, played a significant role.
The competitive nature, which once defined the former NHL players, was evident as Vaughn easily motivated his unique team.
“These guys were all fired up,” Vaughn noted. “I advised them not to get complacent. ‘One more game to go.’ They were ready for action. I almost felt sorry for the opposing team.”
Roenick humorously added, “We were a finely tuned machine out there today. No doubt about that.”
Yet, beneath the fun was a poignant undercurrent. The Kings were the first team in Los Angeles directly affected, as their scheduled home game against the Calgary Flames on January 8 was postponed. The Los Angeles Rams had to move to State Farm Stadium in Phoenix for their first NFL playoff game, and both the Lakers and Clippers had to reschedule their games.
The Kings have actively participated in relief efforts. Their practice facility in El Segundo became a donation center, and team president Luc Robitaille collaborated with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman to organize the charity match. Other teams across the league contributed through 50-50 raffle ticket sales at their games.
“When I spoke with Craig Conroy, the GM in Calgary, there was no hesitation,” Robitaille recalled. “We knew the game had to be rescheduled. Then the situation just escalated.”
“Such circumstances remind us of what truly matters. Despite our passion for the sport, the significance of events like this transcends our love for the game.”
Jason Northgrave, a firefighter from El Segundo who battled the Palisades blaze, cherishes moments like these. A lifelong Maple Leafs supporter from London, Ontario, he enjoyed meeting legends like Rob Blake, the Hall of Fame defenseman and current Kings GM, and Dion Phaneuf, who skated with him and his son. He appreciated hearing the strategies from coaches Ferrell and Snoop Dogg.
“Being a hockey fan my whole life and getting to play alongside guys I’ve admired is incredible,” Northgrave expressed. “Having celebrities join us signifies their love and support, which means a lot.”
(Top image of Jeremy Roenick and Justin Bieber: Bailey Holiver / NHLI via Getty Images)
