Wayne Gretzky's family says he's heartbroken people question his love for Canada
Wayne Gretzky doesn't appear too happy about the criticism he's received in the wake of last week's 4 Nations Face-Off.
Named the honorary captain for last week's final of the international hockey tournament against the United States, Gretzky appeared for a ceremonial pregame puck drop alongside American captain Auston Matthews, Canadian captain Connor McDavid, and American Olympic gold medallist and honorary captain Mike Eruzione.
But while Eruzione came out in a USA jersey, Gretzky opted for a suit, entered the ice through the American bench, and appeared to give a thumbs up to American players while not offering the same grace to the Canadians.
Given the fact that the dual-citizen Gretzky has closely supported Donald Trump — including appearing at his official election party in November and showing up in Washington for his inauguration in January — many Canadians weren’t exactly a fan of the choice.
"How fickle can people be when someone who has given so much time and effort to Canadian hockey is treated in such a way," Hall of Fame defenceman Bobby Orr wrote in an article originally published in the Toronto Sun last weekend.
"Listen, we all have our personal beliefs as they pertain to things such as religion and politics. Wayne respects your right to such beliefs – why can't you respect his?"
Gretzky's wife Janet shared a printout of the article to her Instagram page today, and shared some thoughts on behalf of her husband to Orr.
"Your words mean the world to Wayne and his family," Janet wrote.
"I have never met anyone who is more proud to be a Canadian, and 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. He has always said you are one of the greatest, if not the greatest. Thank you for your kind words."
Notably, neither Janet Gretzky nor Orr named Trump explicitly, showing either a willful ignorance or a misunderstanding of the main reason many Canadians were displeased by the whole ordeal.
On Wednesday, Trump suggested that Gretzky could run for and win "any political office in Canada," while also sharing his views on the president's 51st state rhetoric.
"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," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
After Orr, his wife and Trump have all put words in "The Great One's" mouth, perhaps Wayne Gretzky will eventually speak for himself on the topic.
