Wayne Gretzky Addresses Gold Medal Game, Declares He’s Rooting for Canada Amid Questions About His Loyalty

In a brief, pointed appearance ahead of the Canada–Finland semi-final, wayne gretzky told viewers he is “a true Canadian” and that he will be rooting for Canada in the USA vs. Canada gold medal game on Sunday morning — a statement that landed alongside renewed attention to his long-standing ties to the United States and prominent American figures. The exchange matters because it reopened a public discussion about national loyalty that has simmered for more than a year.

Wayne Gretzky’s on-air response before the Canada–Finland semi-final

Gretzky joined a national broadcast panel ahead of the Canada–Finland semi-final while Mark Messier watched the same match. During the segment, host James Duthie raised recent tensions between Canada and the U. S., describing an “unsettling year for Canadians” and tensions at a level not seen in living memory. Gretzky gripped his microphone with both hands, replied “Right, ” and then emitted a derisive “Ha ha ha, ” before offering a short, direct line: “Very simple… First of all, let’s worry about the game. That’s most important. ”

What he said about the gold medal game

Gretzky made clear his rooting preference for the USA vs. Canada gold medal game on Sunday morning: he said he wants Canada to win a gold medal and that he has “never wavered” on that point. He framed his stance with a national identity line, declaring himself a hockey player and “a true Canadian, ” and reiterated a family analogy about Canada and the U. S. being like brothers and sisters who fight but eventually come together.

Connections to the United States and high-profile friendships

Context for the reaction to Gretzky’s remarks includes widely noted aspects of his personal life. He has spent much of his adult life in the United States, has developed a close relationship with the U. S., and the Gretzkys have spent considerable time with President Trump and Melania over the years. Those connections explain why some observers question the force of his Canadian loyalty despite his on-air declaration.

Criticism, deflection and the manufacturing-sector backlash

Commentary around the exchange suggested Gretzky is skilled at deflection. One line of critique argued that treating the ire over his ties as purely a sporting matter ignores broader consequences for Canadians, invoking the plight of someone losing their job in the manufacturing sector. That critique used a family metaphor in reverse: you sign contracts, then a father figure accuses you of drug dealing, warns that China is about to steal hockey, and then throws you out of the house. For critics, Gretzky’s “worry about the game” response appeared resentful — a man whose loyalty had been publicly questioned after he had, by choice, placed it in doubt.

Defence, resignation and the Arizona option

Defenders point out Gretzky never asked to be a national representative and that the role was pushed on him. Critics counter that he could have chosen a lower-profile path: if he tired of the position, he could have quit, moved to Arizona, and not made a public issue of visiting home. The suggestion that he deliberately put his own loyalty in doubt remains central to the debate.

What remains clear and what is unclear in the provided context

What is clear in the available coverage: wayne gretzky said he is rooting for Canada in the USA vs. Canada gold medal game on Sunday morning; he declared himself a “true Canadian” and emphasized the primacy of the game; he has longstanding personal ties to the United States and high-profile friendships with President Trump and Melania; he appeared on a national broadcast panel where James Duthie raised questions about strained Canada–U. S. relations; Mark Messier was present watching the semi-final. What is unclear in the provided context: precise public reaction beyond the critiques noted, any follow-up comments from Gretzky after the segment, and any scheduling or timing details beyond the description of the gold-medal match as taking place on Sunday morning.

This article draws entirely on the described coverage and statements from that broadcast and related commentary published on Feb 22, 2026. Details may evolve as further remarks or clarifications emerge.