In the midst of a rare losing streak, the Toronto Maple Leafs are getting some encouragement from one of their biggest and most famous fans – Justin Bieber. You don’t have to be a Bieber fan to like the video. It’s a fantastic mash-up of highlights both on and off the ice of the Maple Leafs. What makes it better than your average pump-up video is the players’ candid shots interacting and having fun.
Bieber’s friendship has been well documented with Auston Matthews. The Leafs’ superstar, along with Mitch Marner and former Leafs’ defenseman Tyson Barrie spent time at Bieber’s house outside Cambridge, Ontario. Of course, they played some hockey together. But other Maple Leafs are enjoying the attention of a world-famous musician.
As for the song, Hold On, it’s difficult to link it to anything hockey-related. It’s certainly not Stompin’ Tom. I wonder if the Beibs is suggesting that general manager Kyle Dubas should call him? Is Bieber the mystery new top-six forward?
He puts a plan in place right from the song’s opening lines: “You know you can call me if you need someone. I’ll pick up the pieces if you come undone.” He talks about mistakes and repeatedly sings, “call if you need somebody I will be there for you, oh yeah yeah, Midnight ’til morning, call if you need somebody. I will be there for you.”
Joking aside, perhaps he is requesting that he does the new soundtrack, including a desperately needed new goal song for the Maple Leafs. Whatever his motive, the team will take all the encouragement it can get to break out of a three-game losing streak. One of the most heavily criticized teams in hockey, if not all of the sports world, a love letter sent their way is a nice change.
