LOS ANGELES — Justin Bieber and Steve Carell took to the ice alongside hockey legends like Rob Blake, Mark Messier, Cammi Granato, and Jeremy Roenick on Sunday to assist with relief efforts for the recent wildfires in Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles Kings and the National Hockey League (NHL) organized a special event called “Skate for LA Strong” at Crypto.com Arena, aiming to support those affected by the most destructive wildfires in the city’s history.
Bieber shared his thoughts, saying, “We’re looking to have a good time and show when we come together, good things happen.”
The four-team exhibition was created by Hockey Hall of Famer and Kings President Luc Robitaille. Each team featured a mix of celebrities, former players, and local first responders, with a lineup of 15 skaters and one goaltender.
“We’ve all been impacted by the events of last month. Many of us know people who have faced challenges because of the fires. We want to make a difference and raise as much support as we can,” Robitaille stated.
The team led by actors Vince Vaughn and Cobie Smulders emerged as the champions of the tournament, winning both of their games.
Roenick scored two goals during the event and jokingly sparred with Bieber on the ice at one point, highlighting the relaxed and fun atmosphere. “This was a fantastic celebration of hockey and our brave first responders. It was wonderful to see so many turnout and to have LA firefighters participating,” Roenick commented.
Other coaching pairs included Will Ferrell and Snoop Dogg, Danny DeVito and Al Michaels, and Hannah Stocking and Andrew Whitworth. Actor Skylar Astin expressed his eagerness to join, stating, “When the Kings asked me to participate, I immediately said yes. I’m a Malibu resident, and I owe a lot to the firefighters for their hard work during this crisis. Seeing the destruction firsthand was truly eerie, but I believe that LA is a strong community and will recover.”
The event was a community effort and was aired on local television as well as nationally on ESPN2. Tickets were not sold but instead distributed to first responders and individuals displaced by the wildfires.
According to the Kings, over 12,000 fans attended the event.
