Do a quick search on social media, and you’ll find countless Canadian hockey fans lighting into NHL legend Wayne Gretzky over his connections to American President Donald Trump
It’s well-known by now that “The Great One” has a close friendship with the President of the United States. Gretzky and his wife, Janet Jones, were at Trump’s victory party at the latter’s Mar-a-Lago resort in November. The couple also attended Trump’s inauguration last month.
Gretzky, a Canadian, has lived in the United States since his 1988 trade to the Los Angeles Kings. Fans have widely condemned his support for Trump since November, but it escalated when he served as Team Canada’s honorary captain for the 4 Nations Face-Off final against the Americans last week.
Political tensions between the nations have risen since Trump assumed office because of his push for Canada to become America’s 51st state. So as you can imagine, fans haven’t been all too pleased with Gretzky since he was revealed as Canada’s honorary captain.
“Just going to state this matter-of-factly … the honourary captain for Canada in this game publicly supports a political leader whose position is that Canada should not exist as a nation,” TSN’s Dave Naylor wrote.
Just going to state this matter-of-factly … the honourary captain for Canada in this game publicly supports a political leader whose position is that Canada should not exist as a nation.
— Dave Naylor (@TSNDaveNaylor) February 21, 2025
“Gretzky: Enters through US bench Gives thumbs up to US players Wears no red or NOTHING repping Canada Doesn’t even look Team Canada’s way He’s a traitor & MAGA coward Good riddance,” wrote one fan
Gretzky:
Enters through US bench
Gives thumbs up to US players
Wears no red or NOTHING repping Canada
Doesn’t even look Team Canada’s way
He’s a traitor & MAGA coward
Good riddance. #4nations pic.twitter.com/1YqguI3yqF— Alex 🇨🇦 (@alex_upnorth) February 21, 2025
“Wayne Gretzky went from the Great one to the Traitor one….,” said another.
Wayne Gretzky went from the Great one to the Traitor one….#USAvsCAN #GoCanadaGo 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/zRH9jyCB8i
— Great White North 🍁🇨🇦 (@MadeInCanada_eh) February 21, 2025
“I don’t get this. What exactly did he do for Canada that was not ultimately for personal gain and glory, and for which he was amply rewarded? Representing your country is an honour, not a sacrifice. Soldiers and volunteers sacrifice. Gretzky played a game that made him millions,” wrote a fan.
“It really is amazing that someone thought it was a good idea for Wayne Gretzky – Donald Trump’s great friend and his choice to become Governor of the 51st State of Canada – to be the honourary captain of Team Canada for 4 Nations Face-Off final,” wrote Stu Cowan of the Montreal Gazette.
“I don’t care my boyhood hero did not wear a Team Canada jersey. I am appalled that Wayne Gretzky would attend the inauguration of President Trump who earlier before threatened the sovereign land that looked up to Gretzky as our national hero. Gretzky is a traitor,” said another.
“Gretzky can be friends with whomever he likes. However, as a Canadian icon and a personal childhood hero, he has an obligation now to clearly state whether he stands with Canadian sovereignty or with Trump. Your move Great one,” said another.
Some fans also criticized Gretzky for wearing a traditional suit for the pre-game ceremony. In contrast, American honorary captain and national hockey hero Mike Eruzione came out in a Team USA jersey with the late Johnny Gaudreau’s name and No. 13 at the back.
Wayne Gretzky Now Has A Complicated Legacy With Canadian Hockey Fans
Widely considered the greatest NHL player of all-time, Gretzky led the Edmonton Oilers to four Stanley Cup championships in the ’80s. He led his nation to Canada Cup championships in 1984, 1987 and 1991, too, and helped construct the Gold Medal-winning team at the 2002 Winter Olympics as the club’s executive director.
Clearly, The Great One doesn’t care one bit about any backlash he’ll receive from disappointed folks in his home country. Ultimately, he decided that publicly supporting the president who doesn’t want Canada to exist as its own country is more important than maintaining his legendary status up north.
