I’ve been quiet about the Gretzky/Trump shit. 

I grew up in Alberta in the early 1980s. For 40 years, I have been a Gretzky fan. I have game-worn jerseys, pucks, sticks, etc. I have box scores from newspapers, Stanley Cup program guides, and a deep love for what Gretzky meant to Canada when no one cared about this country or the game internationally.

That’s why Gretzky’s silence about the sovereignty of this country he helped put on the map, sucks.

Few athletes have been as synonymous with Canadian pride as Wayne Gretzky. A national hero, “The Great One” represented hockey excellence and the essence of Canada’s deep-rooted love for the sport. However, in recent months, Gretzky has found himself at the center of controversy, with many Canadians questioning his allegiance to the country he once so proudly represented. The cause? His close association with former U.S. President Donald Trump and an emerging perception that he has, in some ways, abandoned Canada.

From Hockey Legend to Political Lightning Rod

Gretzky’s political leanings have never been a major talking point throughout his career. However, his recent moves have left many Canadians unsettled. The controversy began with Gretzky’s presence at Trump’s official election party in November, followed by his attendance at the inauguration in January. For many Canadians, the idea of their greatest hockey icon openly supporting a man widely regarded as a threat to democracy, a convicted felon, and an adjudicated rapist, is difficult to stomach.

His decision to align himself with Trump raised eyebrows, but the situation escalated after the 4 Nations Face-Off. Gretzky was named honorary captain for Canada in the final game against the United States, yet his behavior on the ice left many Canadians feeling abandoned. Unlike his American counterpart, Mike Eruzione, who proudly wore a USA jersey, Gretzky arrived in a suit, entered the ice through the American bench, and gave a thumbs-up to American players while failing to extend the same gesture to his fellow Canadians.

This was a moment that should have reinforced his unwavering connection to Canada, but instead, it added fuel to the fire of those questioning his loyalties.

Trump’s 51st State Rhetoric and Gretzky’s Silence

If Gretzky’s political affiliations had already left a sour taste in the mouths of Canadians, Trump’s latest remarks only deepened the divide. On Truth Social, Trump bizarrely suggested that Gretzky could win “any political office in Canada” and went on to make an even more unsettling statement:

“Wayne is my friend, and he wants to make me happy, and is therefore somewhat ‘low key’ about Canada remaining a separate country rather than becoming a cherished and beautiful 51st state, paying much lower taxes, a free and powerful military, NO TARIFFS and having a booming economy.”

For Canadians, this was an infuriating moment. Trump has long demonstrated a lack of respect for Canadian sovereignty, but to hear a former U.S. president imply that their most celebrated sports figure is quietly indifferent to the idea of Canada being absorbed into the United States? That was a line many were unwilling to overlook.

Trump’s statement put Gretzky in an awkward position, yet he has remained silent. Instead, others have spoken on his behalf. Hall of Fame defenseman Bobby Orr defended him, arguing that Gretzky’s political views should be respected. In an Instagram post, Gretzky’s wife, Janet, echoed similar sentiments, claiming that the criticism had “broken his heart” and emphasizing how much he loves Canada. However, neither addressed the actual issue—Trump’s overt disrespect for Canada and the implications that Gretzky might not disagree with. And Political views of a human being that supports a rapist/felon/dictator are wildly fucking UN-Canadian so Bobby Orr/Wayne Gretzky are kidding of tipping their hand as to their shitty internal values, right?

Right.

Where Does Gretzky Stand?

Gretzky’s refusal to clarify his stance is the most troubling aspect of this 51st State bullshit. He has not denounced Trump’s offensive remarks about Canada or reassured Canadians that he remains committed to their country’s sovereignty. Instead, his silence speaks volumes.

It is one thing for Gretzky to support a particular political figure—it is his right. But when that figure openly disrespects Canada and its independence, Canadians are justified in feeling betrayed. The fact that Gretzky, a dual citizen, has positioned himself more as an American in recent years only deepens the sense that he has distanced himself from the country that made him an icon.

For decades, Gretzky has been a symbol of Canadian pride. With every passing day of silence, Canadians are left wondering: Does “The Great One” still see himself as one of them? And if not, what does that mean for his legacy?