Wayne Gretzky has opened up about the backlash he’s received over the past year from Canadians.
The Great One has been subject to criticism due to his seemingly close relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump, despite the president’s numerous comments suggesting that he would like to make Canada the 51st American state. This soured a lot of people’s opinions on Gretzky, as the native Canadian seemed to abandon his country in favour of the United States.
The fiasco even drew the ire of some Canadian politicians.
It was quite a departure for the four-time Stanley Cup champion, who had been revered as hockey royalty in Canada by just about everyone until recent events. Gretzky got a chance to address the situation on the 100% Hockey podcast with John Shannon and Daren Millard earlier this week.
When asked, he said that he understood why some Canadians were so angry at him.
“Canadians are proud,” Gretzky said. “People are gonna say and believe what they want. Bottom line is, I know in my heart I’m Canadian, stayed Canadian, and a Canadian citizen for life. Simple as that.”
Gretzky has been living in the United States for the majority of his post-NHL life, but has not become an American citizen. He said that it is because he is too loyal to his Canadian roots. Due to this, he is unable to vote in both the Canadian and American federal elections.
“I don’t know the exact number, but I’d tell you that over 90 per cent [of Canadians who move to the United States] become American citizens,” Gretzky said. “I never became an American citizen. I’m Canadian.”
He also doesn’t view himself as an overly political person, despite being present at Trump’s presidential election victory party last November while wearing the 79-year-old politician’s trademark “Make America Great Again” hat.
“I’m not into politics, and so I can’t stop the prime minister from saying something. I can’t stop the president from saying something,” Gretzky said. “I’m just a hockey player.”
The NHL icon has previously downplayed his political influence, saying neither the Canadian prime minister nor the U.S. president would take him seriously on issues.
When the criticism first started to get heavy, Gretzky confirmed with Shannon and Millard that he got a call from then-Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau, who offered his support to the NHL legend.
Gretzky said he told Trudeau that Canada should make the U.S. the 12th province on the call, seemingly forgetting that there are only 10 provinces currently.
“It was a wonderful phone call… [Trudeau] said, ‘I’m giving you a hug-call,’” Gretzky laughed. “I told him we’ll make the United States the 12th province.
“I had a lot of support, gotta take the good with the bad.”
He also addressed some of the concerns that Canadians levied toward Gretzky for not wearing a Team Canada jersey during a pre-game ceremony at the 4 Nations Championship game against Team USA.
In his words, he would have worn a jersey if somebody had given him one.
“Nobody gave me [a jersey], where am I gonna buy a Canadian jersey in Florida? I flew up from Florida,” Gretzky said. “[Canadian fans] thought, maybe, I jumped ship, but that’s not true.”
For many, their image of Gretzky has not changed throughout this entire saga. He remains one of the most beloved icons in the sport, but his universal appeal has been shed in his native Canada.
