Wayne Gretzky, revered as one of the legends of ice hockey, found himself amid heated controversy recently, after showing support for Team USA during the 4 Nations Face-Off final held at TD Garden, Boston, on February 27, 2025. The iconic hockey player, who served as Team Canada’s honorary captain at the event, sparked outrage among Canadian fans, who were quick to voice their disapproval of his gestures toward the rival team.
Gretzky, affectionately known as "The Great One," made waves when he was seen giving Team USA players a thumbs up as he crossed the ice, which many perceived as disloyalty. The reaction on social media was swift and severe. Canadian fans questioned Gretzky’s loyalty, with some going as far as to label him as "not Canadian anymore" or even calling him a "traitor" for his actions.
The backlash led to deep disappointment within Canada, where Gretzky is celebrated as one of the sports' greatest representatives. For many, the situation was compounded by his public ties to U.S. President Donald Trump, which have made him the subject of scrutiny. Trump defended Gretzky, referring to him as "a fantastic guy" on his Truth Social account, which, instead of soothing tensions, stirred the pot even more. Trump’s remarks included sarcastic comments about Canada potentially becoming the "51st state" of the U.S. and suggested Gretzky was somewhat 'low key' about his Canadian identity.
"Wayne is my friend, and he wants to make me happy, and is, as I said low key, about Canada remaining a separate country," Trump wrote. Such comments did little to help the situation, stirring even more hurt feelings among his Canadian fanbase.
Hockey legend Bobby Orr, another key figure from Canada's hockey legacy, also weighed in on the situation. Orr expressed his disappointment over the negative reactions toward Gretzky, urging fans to show some grace and respect for someone who has contributed significantly to Canadian hockey. Orr wrote, "How fickle can people be, when someone who has..." illustrating the contradictory nature of sports fandom and nationalism.
The column published by Orr appeared alongside social media posts from Janet Gretzky, who expressed her dismay over the hurtful comments directed at her husband. She stated, "It has broken his heart to read and see the mean comments. He would do anything to make Canadians proud, with his love for hockey and his country." This perspective reveals the emotional toll the situation has taken not only on Gretzky but also on those closest to him.
The rivalry between Canada and the USA often intertwines with political sentiments, particularly under the current U.S. administration where Trump has been vocal against Canada through various contentious comments. Backlash reached new heights as many fans felt the stakes of loyalty to one's nation were uncomfortably high during the 4 Nations. While some Canadians admired Gretzky's accomplishments, the recent events had led to petitions calling for the renaming of “Wayne Gretzky Drive” back to its original name, citing his political affiliations and recent actions.
Trump's remarks only added fuel to the fire, drawing attention back to the broader picture of what being Canadian means, especially when its most cherished sports figures are embroiled in political drama. Trump once joked about asking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to watch the game with him, which seemed to trivialize the emotional intensity of the competition.
Gretzky, who holds dual citizenship, has been careful with his public support for Trump, having attended the president's inauguration and election night celebrations. Still, he has refrained from fully endorsing Trump's political views, leading fans to interpret his silence as complicity.
Despite the storm of criticism, experts believe Gretzky’s long-standing legacy and admiration among fans will weather the backlash. Professor Michael Mulvey at the University of Ottawa stated, "Gretzky built his brand over decades, and I don’t think this will too dramatically affect his status or value. People will eventually cool down and recognize his influence on the game." Nonetheless, the current emotional environment remains charged, and the animosity might linger for some time.
With the ice now cooling after the game, the question remains whether Gretzky will address the criticism directly. So far, he has chosen to remain silent amid the outrage. The future will determine if the legendary player can maintain his esteemed position among fans or if this incident marks the beginning of declining support from his fellow Canadians.
The 4 Nations Face-Off resulted with Canada winning 3-2 against the USA, as Connor McDavid scored the golden goal to secure victory. Ironically, the triumph was overshadowed by Gretzky's perceived betrayal, as many fans struggled to reconcile celebrating their country’s win with their disappointment toward one of its greatest icons.
Whether fans view Wayne Gretzky as a traitor or simply as misunderstood underlines the complex interplay of sports, nationalism, and politics. The outcry surrounding his actions serves as both a reminder of his iconic status and the fragile nature of public sentiment during divisive times.