Amid widespread concern over his health, Justin Bieber not only participated in a charity hockey game on Sunday in Los Angeles, but the native Canadian actually dropped gloves with NHL legend Jeremy Roenick.
Bieber’s participation in the game wasn’t a total surprise, given his long-time affinity for the sport. However, Bieber decided to play at a time when his publicist is being forced to deny rumors of hard drug use.
After disturbing images of a gaunt Bieber surfaced recently, his rep told TMZ: ‘The recurring narrative that Justin is using hard drugs is absolutely not true.’
Bieber’s rep also explained that the new dad has endured a ‘very transformative’ past year, in which ‘he ended several close friendships and business relationships that no longer served him.’
On Sunday in LA, Bieber’s helmet and facemask prevented audiences from getting a good look at the singer. But even with his full gear, Bieber appeared happy, joking around with hockey great Mark Messier and engaging in a half-hearted brawl with Roenick.
‘We’re looking to have a good time and show when we come together, good things happen,’ Bieber said prior to the ‘Skate for LA Strong’ game aimed at benefitting victims of the recent wildfires.

Amid fears over Justin Bieber’s health, the Canadian singer participated in a charity hockey game on Sunday in Los Angeles. The event was staged to benefit LA wildfire victims

NHL legend Mark Messier (left) jokes around with fellow Canadian Justin Bieber on Sunday

Justin Bieber dropped the gloves with NHL legend Jeremy Roenick for a ‘fight’ on Sunday
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And they weren’t the only celebrities to throw down.
‘Suits’ actor Ben Hollingsworth also squared up to former league defender PK Subban during the on-ice exhibition.
But unlike in USA-Canada during the 4 Nations Face-Off, these fights had no actual haymakers. In Bieber versus Roenick, the longtime center started the fight with his jersey over his head against the ‘Baby’ singer.
Bieber looked to throw a few body blows that did not connect with Roenick before the two were separated.
The fracas between Subban and Hollingsworth looked less planned, as the two started their bout like any normal NHL fight by tussling with each other.
Before either attempted to land a punch, Hollingsworth took Subban to the Crypto.com ice and they separated, with the now-ESPN analyst looking pissed.
‘No Days Off,’ Subban said of the fight on social media, with several fans asking the 35-year-old if he can still suit up for their favorite team.
Subban has come under fire recently for comment he made about President Donald Trump and how the 4 Nations was played compared to the NBA All-Star Game.

A native of London, Ontario, Justin Bieber has made no secret of his love of hockey

Mark Messier #11 of the Team Blue, Anze Kopitar #11 of the Los Angeles Kings and Justin Bieber #6 of the Team Black during the ceremonial puck drop at Crypto.com Arena

‘Suits’ actor Ben Hollingsworth also squared up to former league defender PK Subban

Justin Bieber #6 of Team Black greets Derek Armstrong #7 of Team Red during the Skate For LA Strong event at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday
The four-team exhibition tournament was the brainchild of Hockey Hall of Famer and Kings President Luc Robitaille.
‘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 and to do something, we’re gonna raise as much as possible and make a difference,’ Robitaille said.
The team coached by actors Vince Vaughn and Cobie Smulders won both of its games to take the exhibition tournament.
Roenick had two goals on the day and then playfully dropped the gloves with Bieber during one of the games.
‘This was an amazing celebration of hockey and first responders. It was a lot of fun, seeing everyone that showed up and some of the LA firefighters playing was a good feeling,’ Roenick said.

Head Coach Snoop Dogg of Team Black and Head Coach Will Ferrell of Team Black pose for a photo during the Skate for LA Strong event at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday

P. K. Subban #76, Roger Sackaroff #24, Theo Fleury #14, and Michael Rosenbaum #7 of Team Blue celebrate a goal against Team White during the ‘Skate For LA Strong’ at Crypto.com
The other teams were coached by Will Ferrell and Snoop Dogg; Danny DeVito and Al Michaels; and Hannah Stocking and Andrew Whitworth.
‘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,’ said actor Skylar Astin.
‘I’m a resident of Malibu, so I really have the firefighters to thank for even containing it as much as they were able to. I even took PCH [Pacific Coast Highway] 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.’
Besides the game being shown locally on television in Los Angeles, it aired nationally on ESPN2. Instead of tickets being sold, they were distributed to first responders and those who have been displaced by the fires.