With the National Hockey League on the cusp of locking out its players and possibly jeopardizing the start of the NHL season, it's a saving grace for fans to know that minor pro level leagues will be operating business-as-usual. Or not so usual, if one team get its way and convinces Justin Bieber to lace up his skates.
Bieber has been offered an amateur tryout contract by the Bakersfield Condors of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL), reports QMI Agency . The team said the 18-year-old pop icon described positionally as a "right-winger" has "soft hands, a good skating stride and a devastating wrist shot capable of beating NHL caliber goaltenders" which could help the Condors this season.
"The 5' 7" slender built superstar should provide a rookie presence for the second-year laden Condors squad," the team said on its site regarding Bieber. "Plus, his sick flow will fit right in with a Condors team known for their style. The Condors have reserved his much publicized favorite number 6 to be worn in Condorstown."
Bieber has skated previously with the Toronto Maple Leafs, which the Condors included in a YouTube video with footage of Bieber playing. A hashtag of #BIEBSINBAKO is also included in the roughly minute-long video.
"Very rarely do you see this combination of skill and toughness," said coach Matt O'Dette on the team's site. "We share a common Canadian heritage since we both hail from Ontario. I've scouted some video of him online skating with my hometown team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, and I think he could provide some elusive speed up front for us."
This would not be the first amateur tryout a sports team has offered a musician. In 1999 Major League Baseball's San Diego Padres announced country singer Garth Brooks would attend their spring training camp.
Thus far Bieber has yet to comment on the offer as he's currently in Europe promoting his latest album Believe.
However, it should be noted that his compatriot Michael Buble has already gone much further than trying out for a minor-league team -- he owns one.
