There was plenty of heartbreak to go around for Team Canada in the gold medal game as the ones wearing the Maple Leaf came up short against Team USA.
Despite being without Sidney Crosby for the final, the Canadians were seen as favorites, especially given how the line of Nathan MacKinnon, Macklin Celebrini, and Connor McDavid had dominated opponents all tournament long. But when Jack Hughes chose to don the hero’s cape late in the game, McDavid and the rest of his teammates had to settle for silver when all was said and done.
In the aftermath, a wild rumor took center stage around Wayne Gretzky’s conspicuous absence ahead of the gold medal game, but one NHL insider refused to let the rumor breathe, choosing to dispel it at first glance.
Does Hockey Canada Have Beef With Wayne Gretzky?
The rumor in question claimed that Wayne Gretzky wished to hype up Team Canada prior to the gold medal game and play his part. However, the rumor also added that the President of Hockey Canada, Katherine Henderson, said that ‘The Great One’ wasn’t welcome inside the locker room.
Naturally, given Gretzky’s name was involved, it didn’t take long for the rumor to catch fire on social media. But when NHL insider Chris Johnston caught wind of it, he wasted little time extinguishing that fire.
“I’m told this is 100% untrue. There was never any request for Wayne Gretzky to come in the Team Canada room before Sunday’s gold-medal game,” Johnston tweeted in response.
As of the time of writing, Gretzky has not yet commented on the matter.
That said, the NHL legend was spotted at the Games, catching the semifinal alongside NFL legend Tom Brady and Mark Messier.
Gretzky also made his allegiance crystal-clear prior to Canada’s showdown against the USA, stating, “Listen, I’m a hockey player. I’m a Canadian, I’m a true Canadian.
“I want Canada to win a gold medal. I’ve never wavered from that. I’ve been friends with presidents and prime ministers. Somehow there’s been a little bit more tension than normal,” Gretzky said.
The Great One’s friendship with presidents and prime ministers is precisely what brought the debate on. At the 4 Nations, Gretzky caught some heat for donning a neutral suit rather than a Team Canada jersey. His friendship with President Donald Trump also rubbed most Canadians the wrong way, especially when Trump was talking about making Canada the 51st state and pronouncing Gretzky the future governor.
