Wayne Gretzky is the most popular Canadian hockey player due to his NHL career’s achievements, primarily for leading the league in points total. But beyond that, he is a genuinely humble person, and that has also factored into the respect every Canadian feels for him.
However, in early 2025, Gretzky was getting targeted despite his good image. Almost a year later, this week, a former All-Star has defended him.
P.K. Subban defends Wayne Gretzky over his friendship with Donald Trump
During an interview with the Toronto Sun, P.K. Subban did not hesitate when asked about the criticism aimed at Wayne Gretzky over his friendship with Donald Trump. The former defenseman, now an executive producer on the documentary “RIVALS,” said people questioning Gretzky’s patriotism should first examine their own contributions to hockey and to Canada.
“I’d like to know what they’ve contributed to the country and what they’ve contributed to the game of hockey,” Subban said. “We’re in an opinion-based world; everyone has an opinion, and that’s great. But my job isn’t to listen to everyone’s opinion.”
The film revisits last year’s heated Four-Nations tournament, but it also explores the backlash Gretzky faced in early 2025. That storm followed his appearances at high-profile Trump events, including the U.S. presidential inauguration. It all had started after Trump’s remarks about Canada becoming the “51st state,” and his trade tariffs fueled anger across the country.
During the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off in Boston, Gretzky served as honorary captain for Team Canada. Some fans booed him at TD Garden. Outside the rink, vandalism targeted his statues in Edmonton and Brantford. Petitions even called for renaming Wayne Gretzky Drive.
Subban pushed back on the idea that Gretzky somehow turned his back on Canada. “Wayne’s paid his dues,” Subban said. “He’s been in the trenches. He went to Nagano. He’s put together Hockey Canada. He’s played for Hockey Canada. He’s represented the country. He’s represented the league. He’s done it all.
“I’m sorry for people who feel (he betrayed Canada). So I would say this, ‘You have zero credibility to comment on Wayne Gretzky and the decisions he makes.'”
In Subban’s view, that body of work outweighs political opinions. Later, the conversation also shifted toward the 2026 Winter Olympics and the possibility of another Canada-United States clash.
Team Canada and the United States have both started the tournament with dominant wins, with Canada defeating Czechia 5-0 and the United States defeating Latvia 5-1.
“I think the U.S. and Canada are in a position where it could happen, but you can’t look that far ahead,” Subban said. “Other countries have come a long way in terms of their development.”
Subban understands pressure from both sides of the border, since he has won Olympic gold with Canada in Sochi. Over 13 NHL seasons with Montreal, Nashville, and New Jersey, he has built a reputation among fans.
Since retiring in 2022, Subban has become a full-time analyst with ESPN. Now, with “RIVALS,” he adds another role and has tried to give fans the experience of the political situation around the 4 Nations tournament.
