In Los Angeles, a special event brought together celebrities and hockey legends alike to raise funds for those affected by the recent wildfires in Southern California. Justin Bieber and Steve Carell took to the ice with notable Hockey Hall of Famers, including Rob Blake, Mark Messier, Cammi Granato, and Jeremy Roenick, during the “Skate for LA Strong” event held at the Crypto.com Arena.
Organized by the Los Angeles Kings in collaboration with the NHL, this exhibition aimed to support the relief efforts following one of the most destructive wildfires in the area’s history—specifically the Palisades Fire. Bieber emphasized the importance of community, stating, “We’re looking to have a good time and show when we come together, good things happen.”
The tournament consisted of four teams and was conceptualized by Luc Robitaille, a Hockey Hall of Famer and the president of the Kings. Robitaille shared his perspective on the impact of the fires, noting, “We’ve all been touched by what happened last month. We all have friends, families, or different people that have been impacted, so for us to be able to make a difference… we’re gonna raise as much as possible and make a difference.”
The team led by actors Vince Vaughn and Cobie Smulders emerged victorious, claiming wins in both of its games throughout the exhibition. Roenick showcased his skills by scoring two goals and engaging in some lighthearted rivalry when he dropped his gloves with Bieber during the games. “This was an amazing celebration of hockey and first responders,” Roenick remarked, expressing his appreciation for the community’s response to the event.
Other teams in the tournament featured coaches like Will Ferrell and Snoop Dogg, Danny DeVito alongside Al Michaels, and Hannah Stocking paired with Andrew Whitworth. Actor Skylar Astin shared his enthusiasm for participating, stating, “When the Kings asked me to do this, I was like, ‘Absolutely.’ I don’t care if I’d never thrown on a pair of skates before, this is where I want to be.”
Living in Malibu, Astin expressed gratitude towards the firefighters for their efforts during the crisis. “I even took PCH over here for the first time, and it was the first time I actually saw all the destruction first-hand and it was really chilling. It’s going to be a while for us to really build back properly, but LA is a resilient community, and I think we’ll get it done,” he added.
The game was broadcast locally in Los Angeles and also aired nationwide on ESPN2. Instead of selling tickets, they were provided free to first responders and individuals who had been displaced as a result of the fires, allowing the community to come together for a worthy cause.
