Justin Bieber made a surprise appearance in the 2026 NHL Draft.
The Canadian singer stopped by the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York to announce the No. 1 pick for his favorite team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, on Friday night. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman declared Bieber one of the team’s “most popular and persistent fans.” The singer started in the crowd before taking the stage alongside the commissioner
The singer, unsurprisingly given the Buffalo crowd, was met with boos when he began lamenting his love for his favorite team. “What’s going on in Buffalo? What’s going on in Toronto? The kid in me is thrilled right now. I’ve been a Leafs fan since I was a little kid,” he told the crowd.
Bieber then announced that Penn State’s Gavin McKenna had been drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs. The hockey player, who hails from Whitehorse, Yukon, stepped out to Bieber’s song “Yukon” and posed for photos with the singer. Bieber directed McKenna to watch a message from Toronto captain Auston Matthews.
Bieber also joined McKenna during his onstage interview. “It’s a dream to be here,” Bieber told the crowd, before promising to wear McKenna’s jersey during a game next year.
The singer has had a great year following his headline appearance at the 2026 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Bieber’s Coachella set was a huge hit at the festival and in person. He played his newer music along with a selection of his older tracks, choosing to pull up old music videos on YouTube to sing along with the audience.
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