The legend of the hockey Bobby Orr came to the defense of Wayne Gretzky in an editorial on Saturday while “The Great One” appeared as the honorary captain of Team Canada for the final of the 4 Nations.
The majority of criticisms came to the apparent support of Gretzky to President Donald Trump. Gretzky was considered a celebration of victory in Florida when Trump won the 2024 presidential election and was inauguration in January. Trump also teased Canada, calling Justin Trudeau the “Governor” of the “51st state”. Trump even launched the idea that Gretzky became the next Governor of Canada.
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Wayne Gretzky, New York Rangers, celebrated a goal against the stars in Dallas, November 7, 1997. (AP photo / lm otero, file)
Orr wrote to the Toronto Sun that he was filled with “disappointment” when he read criticism against someone whom he considers as one of the “greatest Canadians of all time”.
“As people can be capricious, when someone who has given so much time and efforts to Canadian hockey is treated in this way,” read the Orr column. “Listen, we all have our personal convictions because they relate to things like religion and politics. Wayne respects your right to such beliefs – why can’t you respect his?”
Charles Barkley aims Canada after the victory of 4 nations: “They did not want to be the 51st state”
The Canadian Professional Retirement Hockey Player Wayne Gretzky arrives for the presidential inauguration in the American Capitol rotunda in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025. (Saul Loeb-Pool via Imagn Images)
Orr has highlighted Gretzky’s charitable acts towards other Canadians throughout his professional career and after.
“Please take a time to go out. Extend a little grace, and a little respect for a good man and a great Canadian.”
Gretzky did not speak in one way or another of Trump’s support.
“I was with Wayne Gretzky. I said,” Wayne, would you like to be the governor of Canada? “I cannot imagine that no one is doing better than Wayne,” said Trump at a Mar-A-Lago press conference earlier this month.
Wayne Gretzky smokes a cigar during AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in Pebble Beach, California, February 8, 2020. (Michael Madrid-USA TODAY SPORTS)
“Wayne was not too interested. But he would probably have liked the state,” added Trump. “He’s one of my friends. He’s a great guy. He’s the big one. We call him the big one, right? He’s a great hockey player.”
