Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews has shown strong support for Justin Bieber’s surprise album, Swag, which was released on Friday. Bieber’s new project, featuring 21 tracks and collaborations with artists like Cash Cobain, Gunna, Dijon, and Sexyy Red, has also caught the attention of other hockey players, including former Leaf Mitch Marner and Montreal Canadiens winger Patrik Laine’s wife, Jordan.
Reactions from Hockey Players and Bieber’s Close Circle
Auston Matthews, who had a solid 2024–25 season with 33 goals and 78 points in 67 games despite missing several due to injury, promptly shared two songs from Bieber’s album—YUKON and WAY IT IS. Matthews tagged Bieber in his posts, adding a fire heart emoji to one and a simple “Yep” to the other, showing clear enthusiasm for the album.
Bieber, a well-known Maple Leafs supporter, has maintained a close friendship with Matthews since the forward was drafted first overall in 2016. Bieber often attends games, promotes the team on social media, and even collaborated on a Maple Leafs jersey design. Former Leaf Mitch Marner, now with the Vegas Golden Knights following a trade, also expressed excitement about Swag by posting the track Daisies accompanied by five fire emojis.
Jordan Laine Shares Moments Supporting Bieber and Personal Life Highlights
Jordan, wife of Canadiens winger Patrik Laine, showed her support for Bieber’s music by sharing an Instagram story featuring the song Go Baby, where Bieber references his wife Hailey and their relationship. Jordan captioned her post,
“Sound the alarm the beibs is back.”
Her post came shortly after their wedding on June 28 in Palm Beach, Florida.
In addition to her musical shoutout, Jordan shared glimpses of her honeymoon in Italy with Laine on July 5. Her Instagram stories captured peaceful seaside breakfasts, scenic views, and intimate moments like Laine applying sunscreen. Holding swim goggles in one post, she wrote,
“Time to play mermaids.”
Jordan also opened up about meeting Laine in a February interview with NHL.com. She recalled their first encounter at a bar in Columbus while attending a wedding, describing it as
“It’s not very romantic,”
before explaining that they kept in touch through nightly FaceTime calls. A subsequent meeting in Miami accelerated their relationship.
The Growing Intersection of Music and Hockey Culture
The connection between Justin Bieber and key NHL players highlights the blending of celebrity and sports culture in Toronto and beyond. Bieber’s ongoing support for the Maple Leafs and his friendship with Matthews deepen the ties between music and hockey communities, creating a shared enthusiasm among fans and athletes alike. With the release of Swag, Bieber continues to captivate audiences while maintaining strong personal and professional bonds within the hockey world.