Wayne Gretzky Discusses Controversy Over 4 Nations Face-Off Incident

Boston, MA — Wayne Gretzky, known as ‘The Great One,’ has had a tumultuous year in the spotlight. The hockey legend faced backlash during the 4 Nations Face-Off final against the United States when he did not wear Canadian colors as the honorary captain. His warm demeanor toward the U.S. bench also sparked outrage, especially amid political tensions involving then-President Donald Trump joking about making Canada the 51st state.

Eight months after the incident, Gretzky addressed the controversy on the 100% Hockey podcast. When asked about the public uproar, he said, ‘Canadians are proud. But here are the two factors. I don’t know how many people moved to the US, whether it’s business, entertainment, or hockey; I don’t know the exact number. But I would tell you that over 90% of them became American citizens. I never became an American citizen. I’m Canadian.’

Gretzky, who has lived in the U.S. since his trade to the Los Angeles Kings in 1988, emphasized his avoidance of political matters. ‘I’m not in politics. So, I can’t stop the prime minister from saying something. I can’t stop the president from saying something. I’m just a hockey player, simple as that,’ he stated.

Despite the controversy, Gretzky reiterated his pride in being Canadian. ‘The bottom line is, I know in my heart I’m Canadian, I’ve stayed Canadian, and I’m a Canadian for life,’ he said. He also expressed that he had much support during the backlash and recognized how it might have affected his late father, Walter Gretzky.

Additionally, Gretzky revealed that former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reached out to him to clarify the situation after the uproar.