Why Canadians are stung by Wayne Gretzky’s silence

During the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, as controversy surrounded Canada’s men’s hockey team, the country’s most cherished sports figure took the microphone and stood up for his nation. The team had just staged a comeback to secure a 3-3 tie against the Czech Republic in a tense round-robin match.

Wayne Gretzky, serving as the team’s executive director, dismissed media reports of internal discord as nothing more than “American propaganda.”

“I don’t think we dislike those countries as much as they dislike us,” he stated. “They want to see us fail. They love beating us. … We need to develop that same drive toward them.”

For hockey fans, it was the most fiery they had seen the legendary player since his retirement. Canada was chasing its first Olympic gold in men’s hockey in 50 years.

“Am I fired up? Absolutely,” Gretzky said. “Because I’m tired of people taking shots at Canadian hockey. … It almost makes me sick to turn on the TV, because I’m such a proud Canadian and a huge fan of our game. I’m incredibly proud of the guys in that locker room, and it’s unbearable to hear the things being said about us.”

Gretzky’s passionate words became a defining moment for the star-studded Canadian team, which went on to claim gold on American soil.

For Canadians, Gretzky had long been more than just a hockey icon—he was a symbol of national pride. Since his rise as a teenage sensation in the 1970s and his subsequent rewriting of nearly every scoring record in the sport, he had embodied the country’s love for hockey and its competitive spirit.

But now, that pride is being questioned. North of the border, such a notion once seemed unthinkable. However, Gretzky’s support for U.S. President Donald Trump—and his silence in the face of Trump’s repeated jabs at Canada, including calls to make it the 51st state and imposing harsh tariffs—has left many Canadians feeling betrayed.

His stance has sparked headlines and heated discussions across Canada. A petition to rename Edmonton’s Gretzky Drive has already gathered more than 12,000 signatures.

Supporters argue that the backlash is politically driven and unfair. But in Canada, the sentiment goes beyond politics. It speaks to a deeper, growing sense of nationalism, as the country feels increasingly under siege.

For decades, rightly or wrongly, Gretzky has personified a patriotism that transcended sports.

He was, and always will be, the pride of Brantford, Ontario—the small-town boy who learned to skate on a backyard rink. His family, of Ukrainian descent, embodied Canada’s working-class values of perseverance and dedication. His journey to greatness felt like a reflection of the nation itself.

His father, Walter Gretzky, became a beloved figure known as “Canada’s hockey dad,” frequently seen at local rinks across the country. He remained in the same modest home in Brantford until his passing, welcoming visitors who saw in him a familiar, relatable presence—a piece of small-town Canada linked to sporting greatness.

Gretzky himself always seemed to uphold those humble Canadian ideals. He was known for his kindness to fans, his modesty in interviews, and his relentless pursuit of excellence. That unassuming nature made it feel as though, no matter where life took him, he never truly left home.

At least, that’s what it felt like.

For those who grew up in Canada during the 1980s and 1990s, Gretzky was the pinnacle of national pride. He shattered records in Edmonton, carried the Canadian flag on the ice, and broke down in tears when he was unexpectedly traded to Los Angeles.

At the height of his fame, the Canadian with the signature blonde hockey hair put Canada in the global spotlight. He appeared in Saturday morning cartoons alongside Michael Jordan and Bo Jackson, featured in Nike and Coke commercials, and was name-dropped in Hollywood films. No hockey player before him had ever achieved such worldwide recognition. He became the first Canadian to ascend to the pantheon of global sports legends.

The pride Canadians felt for him was immense—but it wasn’t just pride. There was also a sense of ownership, a belief that Gretzky belonged to Canada.

Of course, that was never true.

Since his 1988 trade to the Kings, Gretzky has lived in the U.S. He married an American, raised his family south of the border, and eventually became a naturalized U.S. citizen. Over the years, the Gretzkys have had homes in California, Wyoming, Missouri, and Florida.

In 2009, he was awarded Canada’s highest civilian honor, the Companion of the Order of Canada, for his contributions to the country. Yet, he has never attended an investiture ceremony to officially receive it at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.

At some point, the idea of Gretzky as Canada’s unwavering ambassador became more myth than reality.

This growing disillusionment among Canadians is tied to something much deeper than politics. It stems from a painful realization—one that stings in the face of mockery, economic pressure, and condescension from its southern neighbor. Canadians have long understood their place in America’s orbit, but there’s always been an unspoken fear: that even their most treasured national symbols could be swallowed up by the superpower next door.

Gretzky was Canada’s—until, inevitably, America claimed him.

I’ve had the chance to speak with Gretzky multiple times over the past decade. He’s always been thoughtful, open about both the triumphs and hardships of his life. He’s spoken fondly of Canada, with deep gratitude for his roots.

He did not respond to a request for comment for this story.

In past conversations, we’ve discussed his fiery passion at the 2002 Olympics, the grief he felt after losing his close friend Ace Bailey in the 9/11 attacks, and his reflections on his father, his family, and his legacy. I’ve watched as fans of all generations called out to him—“Wayne! Wayne! Gretzky!”—when he walked across the field at Fenway Park during an NHL outdoor classic.

That aura has followed him for decades. It once seemed unshakable. But in Canada, for many, that once-revered image of Gretzky as a national treasure has dimmed. Not because of where he lives or his political views. Not because of anything he has actively done. But because, in the end, the legend wasn’t real. And maybe, it never should have been an expectation in the first place.

The backlash first stirred when images surfaced of Gretzky celebrating Trump’s election victory at Mar-a-Lago, then attending his inauguration. But what truly upset Canadians wasn’t those appearances—it was his silence when Trump turned against Canada.

A few weeks ago, when Gretzky was introduced as Canada’s ambassador ahead of the 4 Nations Face-Off Final at TD Garden, he walked out from the American bench, dressed in a suit, shaking hands with players from both teams. The reaction was subdued—some cheers, but also a few scattered boos.

In another time, the moment might have passed unnoticed. But these are not calm times for Canada. And in the absence of a response, Gretzky’s silence spoke volumes.

Bobby Orr, another Canadian hockey icon, defended Gretzky in an open letter, calling him “one of the greatest Canadians ever” and criticizing those who turned against him for his beliefs.

Janet Gretzky later shared a message thanking Orr, stating that her husband remains deeply proud of his Canadian heritage and heartbroken by the negativity.

Many other Canadian celebrities have built their careers in the U.S., yet none have faced the same scrutiny. Then again, none have been photographed wearing a MAGA hat in support of a president who has openly mocked their home country.

Even Trump himself weighed in, posting that he doesn’t want Canadians turning on Gretzky.

“He is the Greatest Canadian of them all, and I am therefore making him a ‘free agent,’ because I don’t want anyone in Canada to say anything bad about him,” Trump wrote.

“He supports Canada as it is, as he should, even though it’s not nearly as good as it could be as part of the Greatest and Most Powerful Country in the World, the Good Ole’ U.S.A.!”

Gretzky remained silent.

And in that silence, for many Canadians, the final realization sank in: in this moment of national reckoning, the Great One is standing on the other side.