TORONTO - Justin Bieber was a hit with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The 17-year-old Canadian pop phenom impressed members of the team with his skating ability during an on-ice session with a handful of players on Wednesday afternoon. Bieber even managed to put a few pucks behind goalie Jonas Gustavsson.
"Of course, I didn't go 100 per cent and try to be that guy that stops all the shots out there," Gustavsson said Thursday with a laugh. "But I didn't give him any free ones either. He had to do something for a goal."
Bieber made a stop at Air Canada Centre and skated alongside Gustavsson, Dion Phaneuf, Tyler Bozak, Mike Komisarek and Jake Gardiner. The singer from Stratford, Ont., filmed part of his Christmas special during the session.
"I was telling some of the guys he's got some good moves," Gardiner said of Bieber. "He scored on Monster a couple times."
Gardiner took plenty of ribbing from teammates last week after saying he was a fan of Bieber's music during a radio interview. The 21-year-old remains a fan after getting a chance to meet him.
"He started out as a kid that had a great voice and now he's an entertainer that people love watching," said Gardiner. "It seems like anywhere he goes people love him. He's a pretty lucky guy, that's for sure."
"Justin Bieber: Home for the Holidays" airs Thursday night on CTV and MuchMusic.
