Wayne Gretzky, the Canadian hockey legend widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, recently faced intense scrutiny for his role as the honorary captain of Team Canada during the 4 Nations Face-Off championship against the USA. This appearance, which coincided with heightened political tensions between the two countries, sparked backlash among fans and commentators alike.
The controversy began when Gretzky entered the ice for the championship game held at TD Garden in Boston last Thursday night. Instead of stepping out from Team Canada’s side, he came through the U.S. bench, greeting American players with a thumbs up. Adding fuel to the fire, he opted not to wear any red to represent Canada but appeared instead in a suit, contrasting sharply with Team USA’s honorary captain Mike Eruzione, who proudly donned the team's jersey.
Many Canadians took to social media to express their discontent with Gretzky’s actions during the event, describing them as "tone deaf." Critics pointed out his lack of visible support for Canada as highly inappropriate, especially with the backdrop of U.S. President Donald Trump’s provocative statements about Canada becoming the 51st state. Just days prior to the game, Trump had continued to pressure Canada with threatening comments about tariffs and annexation, implying he would like to make Canada part of the USA.
During the lead-up to the game, the political climate overshadowed the competition between the national teams. Witnessing the tensions manifest, U.S. fans booed the Canadian anthem during their first match of the tournament, and the Canadian national anthem singer altered the lyrics of "O Canada" during the championship game, reflecting the sentiments of resentment toward Trump's rhetoric.
Following Gretzky's entrance, the disbelief among fans only grew stronger. Tweets expressing outrage criticized him for giving the U.S. players encouragement rather than showing solidarity with his team. One Twitter user noted, "Wayne Gretzky just gave Team USA thumbs up. Don't like it one bit," reflecting the sentiments of many who questioned where Gretzky stood on the contentious statehood debate.
Despite the online ire directed at Gretzky, reverence for his contributions to hockey remains. He has had previously celebrated roles within the sport, serving as part of Hockey Canada’s executive team during the Olympic Games spanning from 2002 to 2010 and has contributed to multiple championships like the Canada Cup and the World Cup.
Gretzky’s political affiliations, previously on display through his presence at Trump’s political events, have led to mixed feelings among Canadian hockey fans, especially after his comments about Canada potentially adopting more American-centric policies. At Trump’s inauguration, he was prominently featured, and following the event, the President suggested Gretzky should run for Prime Minister—certainly not helping to ease tensions surrounding his involvement as Team Canada’s honorary captain.
Social media outcry pointed to how Gretzky’s choice to serve as honorary captain seemed misguided, particularly with the national and personal sentiments surrounding his actions. A common theme among the online discourse was the question of Gretzky’s allegiance, with many fans remarking, "This should have been Canada's honorary Captain. Gretzky is scum," unimpressed with how he was perceived to be undermining his own country's representative stance.
Nonetheless, the event's climax featured Team Canada overcoming Team USA, with Connor McDavid netting the game-winning goal in overtime for a 3-2 thrilling victory. Following the game, Gretzky sought to unify the team with the gift of red hats adorned with the message "Be Great"—an ironic nod perhaps intended to evoke his nickname, "The Great One." Photos from the post-game festivities showed players celebrating with their new garb, offering some redemption for Gretzky amid the earlier backlash.
The hats bore the simple yet powerful message, which stirred curiosity about any possible connection to Trump's infamous "Make America Great Again" slogan. Regardless of intent, they represented Gretzky's support for the team post-game, yet his entrance on the ice amid significant backlash showcased the complex interplay of sports and politics.
While the night concluded with Canada securing their championship win, the dialogue sparked by Gretzky’s earlier actions highlighted the challenges facing sports figures as they navigate their roles amid politically charged atmospheres. The broader impact of sports personalities’ actions often extends beyond the rink, reverberate through fans’ sentiments, showcasing the power sports possess to unite and divide.