Wayne Gretzky will compete in Sunday’s men’s gold medal game between the United States and Canada.
Who is he rooting for?
You might think that Gretzky, who was chosen, would obviously support Canada. Gretzky was born and raised in Canada. He is widely considered the greatest hockey player of all time. But in recent years, Gretzky has grown close to President Trump, who has threatened Canada and suggested it could become the 51st U.S. state.
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Gretzky was asked who he would support on Sunday. He made it clear that he supported Canada.
“I’m a hockey player. I’m Canadian, a real Canadian. I want Canada 🇨🇦 to win the gold medal. I’ve never wavered on that. I’ve always been a friend of the prime minister and the president. Somehow there’s more tension than usual. At the end of the day, Canada and the United States are like brothers and sisters, they’ll bicker, but in the end they’ll come together. That’s how I see it,” he said.
Wayne Gretzky is on the air.
(CBC)
Gretzky has been criticized for his friendship and relationship with President Trump amid ongoing tensions between the United States and Canada.
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Despite the criticism Gretzky faced, he didn’t back down.
“People are going to say and believe what they want,” Gretzky said on the “100% Hockey” podcast co-hosted by Darren Millard and John Shannon. “The bottom line is, I know in my heart that I’m Canadian, I’ve always been Canadian, and I’ll be Canadian my whole life.”
Gretzky was booed by some Canadians and was glad his late father didn’t see it.
“You have to take the good with the bad,” Gretzky said. “I’m glad he didn’t have to see it.”
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Gretzky claims he’s not really into politics
Although Gretzky has a friendly relationship with President Trump, he claims he’s not really into politics.
“I’m Canadian,” Gretzky said. “I can’t vote in the United States because I live in the United States and I’m Canadian. I can’t vote in Canada because I don’t live in Canada.
“I don’t like politics. So I can’t stop the prime minister from saying something. I can’t stop the president from saying something. I’m just kind of like, well, I’m just a hockey player, that’s it.”
But will you buy it?
This article was originally published by The Spun on February 22, 2026, and first appeared in the Olympics section. Click here to add The Spin as your preferred source.
