![[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Feb 20, 2026; Milan, Italy; Former ice hockey players Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier watch the match between Canada and Finland in a men's ice hockey semifinal during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.](https://statico.profootballnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/27010857/hockey-canada-breaks-silence-rumored-02-27-26-1920x1268.jpg "Hockey Canada Breaks Silence on Rumored Beef Vs. Wayne Gretzky With 4-Word Statement")
The sting of Canada’s 2-1 overtime loss to Team USA in the gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina hadn’t even faded before a new controversy took over the headlines. This time involving hockey icon Wayne Gretzky.
In the days following the defeat, rumors began circulating that Gretzky had been denied access to Team Canada’s locker room before the gold medal game. The story spread quickly online, eventually forcing Hockey Canada to address it publicly.
Hockey Canada Finally Responds to Wayne Gretzky Speculation
The controversy stemmed from comments made by former NHLer Mike Commodore. He claimed Gretzky wanted to address Team Canada ahead of the championship game against the United States but was told he was not welcome by Hockey Canada president Katherine Henderson.
The allegation spread rapidly across social media, fueling outrage. Former NHL player turned analyst Ryan Whitney voiced his frustration on X, writing: “If this is true @HockeyCanada didn’t allow Wayne Gretzky in the locker room to read the starting lineup before the gold medal game whoever made the decision needs to resign today. What a disgrace.”
But Hockey Canada wasted little time addressing the claims directly. In a reply to Whitney’s post, the organization issued a blunt, four-word statement: “This is not true.”
According to Hockey Canada, there was never any request for Gretzky to enter the dressing room before Sunday’s gold medal game. With those four words, the governing body firmly denied the allegation.
Whitney later acknowledged the response, posting: “Hockey Canada has spoken. According to them not true. I repeat…Not true.”
Why the Rumor Gained So Much Attention
The situation escalated in part because Gretzky has faced heightened scrutiny from Canadian fans in recent months over his personal relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Tensions peaked during the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, when Gretzky appeared as an honorary captain and was booed by segments of the Canadian crowd. Critics pointed to his visible interactions with the American bench and his past appearances alongside Trump, especially amid political rhetoric about tariffs and controversial comments regarding Canada’s sovereignty.
Gretzky has previously addressed the criticism, saying: “I’m a true Canadian… I’ve never wavered from that,” and describing cross-border tensions as a family squabble between “brothers and sisters.”
Canada’s overtime defeat only intensified the online reaction. With emotions already running high after the loss, the Gretzky rumor spread like wildfire, adding another layer of drama to an already painful result for Canadian fans.
Gretzky hasn’t commented yet, but with NHL playback and his TNT appearances ahead, many expect him to address it soon.
