Justin Bieber and NHL Hall of Famer Jeremy Roenick gave hockey fans more than they bargained for when they engaged in a playful scuffle during Sunday’s (Feb. 23, 2025) “Skate For LA Strong” charity hockey event at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.
The 30-year-old pop superstar and 55-year-old hockey legend dropped the gloves in a mock brawl that had the crowd cheering and their celebrity coaches laughing from the bench. The lighthearted moment came during the charity tournament organized by the Los Angeles Kings and the National Hockey League to benefit victims of the recent Southern California wildfires.
The encounter video shows Bieber pulling Roenick’s jersey over his head, a classic hockey fighting move, before pretending to throw some body shots. Both men smiled throughout the staged altercation, making it clear this was all good fun.
“That’s Justin Bieber; somebody goes help Justin,” said Snoop Dogg, who, with Will Ferrell, was an honorary coach for Team Black.
Former NHL players Derek Armstrong and Nate Thompson quickly intervened to separate the two, though Bieber was seen with a huge smile as he skated away from the encounter. The staged fight drew enthusiastic reactions from the crowd and Bieber’s opposing coach, actor Vince Vaughn.
This wasn’t the only mock fight of the day. Former NHL player P.K. Subban and actor Ben Hollingsworth also engaged in a similar playful scrap during another game in the tournament, adding to the entertainment value of the charity event.
Bieber, a self-proclaimed hockey enthusiast from Canada, played for Team Black, coached by Ferrell and Snoop Dogg. Despite their fighting prowess, Team Black lost 4-0 to Team Red, coached by Vaughn and actress Cobie Smulders.
After the event, Roenick joked about the encounter, saying he could now tell people he “got beat up by Justin Bieber.” For his part, Bieber emphasized the charity tournament’s positive impact.
“We’re looking to have a good time and show when we come together, good things happen,” Bieber said during the event.
Roenick, who played 20 seasons in the NHL and tallied 1,216 points (513 goals and 703 assists) during his illustrious career, also spoke positively about the experience.
Roenick said it was an amazing celebration of hockey and first responders, and it was fun seeing everyone who showed up. According to ESPN, seeing the L.A. firefighters playing was a good feeling.
The star-studded event featured numerous celebrities serving as honorary coaches, including actors Steve Carell, Danny DeVito, Vince Vaughn, and Cobie Smulders, sports commentator Al Michaels, and former NFL player Andrew Whitworth. The tournament brought together celebrities, NHL alumni, and Los Angeles firefighters to raise funds for those affected by the wildfires that ravaged the greater Los Angeles area last month.
Proceeds from the event are being directed to various relief organizations, including the Red Cross, the LA Fire Foundation, the Cal Fire Foundation, and the Eaton Canyon Fire Relief and Recovery Fund.
Bieber’s participation in the charity event comes amid increased public interest in his personal life. In recent weeks, the “Baby” singer has been the subject of speculation regarding his health and marriage to model Hailey Bieber. Some fans expressed concern after recent photos showed the singer appearing thinner than usual, leading to rumors about his well-being.
However, Bieber’s representatives have strongly denied these rumors. When responding to speculation about drug use, Bieber’s team told TMZ that such claims are “exhausting and pitiful and shows that despite the obvious truth, people are committed to keeping negative, salacious, harmful narratives alive.”
According to sources close to the singer, Bieber has undergone a “very transformative” past year, which included cutting ties with several close friends and business partners. Despite the rumors, the pop star appeared in good spirits at Sunday’s charity hockey game, laughing with other players and contributing to the event’s friendly atmosphere.
During the event, Bieber also reportedly expressed excitement about his newborn son Jack potentially playing hockey in the future. Bieber’s wife Hailey was in attendance at the charity games.
The “Skate For LA Strong” event showcased how celebrities and athletes can come together to support important causes while providing entertainment for fans. Through mock fights and friendly competitions, participants like Bieber and Roenick demonstrated that charity events can be meaningful and enjoyable for everyone involved.
For Bieber, who has maintained a relatively low public profile in recent months while focusing on family and music, the charity hockey game represented a return to the spotlight for a worthy cause. It combined his love for hockey with his commitment to giving back to the community.
