Justin Bieber among celebs at centre ice for NHL All-Star weekend
Zulekha Nathoo | CBC News | Posted: January 29, 2017 10:00 AM | Last Updated: January 29, 2017
Taylor Kitsch, Tim Robbins also part of Saturday's celebrity match, Carly Rae Jepsen to sing anthem Sunday
Pop star Justin Bieber took a body check but also scored a goal — albeit on an empty net — during a celebrity hockey match Saturday as part of the NHL All-Star Game weekend.
The Stratford, Ont.-born singer was slammed into the boards by defenceman Chris Pronger during the charity game but took it in stride, showing his skills and eventually scoring as time ran out.
"I was shocked at how good the kid can play," said his teammate, actor Cuba Gooding Jr, who scored the winning goal. "He really has nice skills, and he's a real sweet kid, too."
Bieber was part of a team roster coached by Wayne Gretzky that also included actor Tim Robbins. Carter Thicke, son of late Canadian actor Alan Thicke, was also part of the team and played in memory of his father who died last month and loved the game.
Battleship and Friday Night Lights star Taylor Kitsch played on the opposite team alongside several NHLers including Pronger and led by Mario Lemieux. Team Gretzky beat Team Lemieux 5-3.
Proceeds from the match will go toward Echoes of Hope, an organization that works with at-risk and foster youth.
All-Star performances
Canadian singer Carly Rae Jepsen will sing O Canada at Sunday's NHL All-Star Game and pop group Fifth Harmony will sing the American anthem.
Nick Jonas will perform live during the second intermission of the game.
Celebrity hockey fans present awards
Mad Men star Jon Hamm, a longtime St. Louis Blues fan, hosted the NHL 100 celebration Friday. Presenters included Canadian celebrity hockey fans Keanu Reeves, Michael J. Fox and Alex Trebek.
Love Me Now singer-songwriter John Legend and Five for Fighting's John Ondrasik both performed onstage.