Local first responders, celebrities, and NHL alumni recently laced up at Skate for LA Strong, “A Celebration to Support the Fire Recovery Efforts in Los Angeles.” The Los Angeles Kings hosted the game in partnership with the National Hockey League. “We all believe we must keep doing everything in our power to help these victims and displaced families recover and rebuild their lives” says LA Kings President Luc Robitaille. More than 12-thousand firefighters, first responders, fire victims and their families attended the event, which netted over $8 million in donations.
Bieber, Vaughn Among Celebs Hitting Ice To Raise Money for LA Wildfire Recovery
“This is everything… we’re just looking to have a good time and show that when we all come together good things can happen,” says Justin Bieber, who playfully scuffled with former NHL player and Hockey Hall of Famer Jeremy Roenick. Actor Taylor Kitsch – who started playing ice hockey at three years old – had some bigger hopes – “just me scoring an immense amount of goals.” The good news is, he scored at least one!
Actor Steve Carell also took the ice, but not before setting expectations. “I’ll give it a shot, It’ll be fun. It’s for a good cause.”
Among the star-studded coaching roster – Will Ferrell, Snoop Dogg, Sportscaster Al Michaels, and Danny DeVito. “I’ve got Messier on my team so we’re going to get out there and shred,” he says “So many people have gone through such incredible pain and have done so much for each other, and that’s the way life should be. We should reach out and embrace people who are our friends. We’re all family. Basically you have to act like a family. When your family is in need, you come out.”
But it was the team led by Cobie Smulders and Vince Vaughn that came out victorious, although, as Vince says the game was bigger than any winner. “It’s unthinkable what so many people went through…but for the Kings to organize and not just for the city of Los Angeles to come together and the state of California, but for the whole country…for people all over to be pouring in support. I think it says a lot about who we are as people, when these things happen, so it was special to be a part of this and to see all the love and the support to come from everywhere.”
Hall of Famer Mark Messier Returns to Ice to Skate for LA Strong
Considered one of the greatest hockey players of all time, Mark Messier echoed Danny and Vince’s sentiments, saying “It’s incredible to see how people band together in times like this and we’re all brothers and sisters in the end and it’s what we do, it’s humanity shows its face in the face of adversity and I think that’s what we’re really going to see again here today.” Former NHL Star P.K. Subban who laced up his skates for the first time in three years agrees, “It’s not just about money, for people to give their time is a big deal and I think it shows how important this event is. We’re going to help a lot of families, a lot of people. I’m all for it.”
LAFD Firefighters Among Local First Responders Heating Up the Ice for Fire Victims
Local first responders were grateful for the chance to share the ice with stars of the rink and screen. El Segundo Fire Department Firefighter and Paramedic Jason Northgrave says “I think it’s phenomenal what the Kings are doing here. To put this on – especially for victims of the recent fires. Me and my crew were there, and it’s touching to do this and to be a part of it, so I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity. Los Angeles Fire Department Inspector Roger Sackaroff hoped to make the men and women of the fire department proud, “This is just a really, really fun thing and it’s a really unique experience.”
And while hockey is in their background, twin brothers and Los Angeles Firefighters Marty and Matty Mullen knew what they were up against, “we still play a couple times a week, but this is a little upper level here, we got some NHL guys,” says Matty. “We couldn’t be more proud to work for LA City Fire, and we’re really excited to be a part of this event.”
And it was bigger than a game for the heroes too. “I grew up playing hockey, even though I’m from Southern California. It means a lot to me. So to be able to get on the ice with these guys is a true honor,” says Former Quinnipiac University Hockey Player-turned-Pasadena firefighter Spencer Heichman.
By MaryAnne Bargen