‘There’s Been a Bit More Tension’ — Wayne Gretzky Makes Allegiance Clear Ahead of Canada vs. USA Gold Medal Game

NHL legend Wayne Gretzky has found himself at the heart of a heated debate in Canada over the past year, with some questioning where his loyalties stand amid his friendship with former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Now, ahead of the Canada vs. USA gold medal showdown, Gretzky has made his position clear.

Wayne Gretzky Sends Strong Message Before Final

The controversy grew out of a series of high-profile moments. Gretzky’s friendship with Trump, highlighted by his appearance at an election night event at Mar-a-Lago and photos of him wearing a white-and-gold MAGA hat, sparked significant criticism. The reaction only intensified after Trump floated the idea of Canada becoming the 51st U.S. state. And proposed 25 percent tariffs on Canadian goods.

During the February 4 Nations Faceoff, Gretzky served as Team Canada’s honorary captain. But even that role came with scrutiny. Some fans booed when he was seen giving a thumbs-up to the U.S. bench while dressed in a neutral suit rather than a Team Canada jersey.

With tensions simmering ahead of Sunday’s gold medal clash, Gretzky addressed the noise head-on. “Listen, I’m a hockey player. I’m a Canadian, I’m a true Canadian,” Gretzky said. “I want Canada to win a gold medal. I’ve never wavered from that. I’ve been friends with presidents, prime ministers. Somehow there’s been a little bit more tension than normal.”

Gretzky had a large Canadian flag pinned to his suit jacket as he spoke, and he went on to describe the relationship between Canada and the United States. “At the end of the day, Canada and the U.S. are like brothers and sisters. They’re going to fight and argue, and eventually they’ll come together. That’s the way I see it,” he said.

On the ice, Canada has backed up the expectations. The team is 5-0 in the tournament and will face the United States for gold on Sunday, Feb. 22. They punched their ticket to the final with a dramatic 3-2 semifinal win over Finland. Nathan MacKinnon scored the game-winner with just 35.2 seconds remaining. Connor McDavid set a new NHL-era Olympic record with 13 points in a single tournament.

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Gretzky believes the key against the Americans will be setting the tone early. “Get off to a good start,” he said. “I really like the physicality of our hockey club. I think we’ve had a really good tournament, and I think Canada plays our best game of the tournament tonight.”

Now, everything is set for a highly anticipated gold medal clash against the United States, with emotions high and Gretzky’s allegiance firmly stated.