Posted by Andrew Unterberger on 01/07/2013 at 8:52 AM News

The Popdust Files: justin bieber, NHL, tattoos

The NHL lockout ended this weekend, which is great news for everyone in North America, but really really great news for everyone in Canada, where a winter without hockey is like a summer without warm weather. To commemorate, or maybe just in fortuitous coincidence, Ontario native Justin Bieber got a tattoo on his back shoulder of a Native American chief.

What’s the hockey connection? Well, it kinda looks like the logo of the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks, but really, it’s the insignia for the Stratford Cullitons, a team of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League, which has produced such future NHLers as Hart Trophy winner Chris Pronger and NBC color announcer Eddie Olczyk. “My grandfather always took me to the stratford culliton every friday night this is for u Grampa,” explained The Bieb on his instagram. “My man @chenterios hooked it up.” (That’s Chente Rios of the Under the Gun Ink parlor in L.A., for you inkheads out there.)

Well, respect to Biebs for going super-deep with his hockey tat—there are probably millions of Canadian 18-year-olds with the Toronto Maple Leaf on their back shoulder, but only a true fan would get a GOJHL permanent on their flesh. Gary Bettman would be proud.