Wayne Gretzky Deflects Politics, Calls Himself a ‘True Canadian’ and Will Root for Canada in Gold Medal Game

Wayne Gretzky publicly addressed questions about his national loyalties ahead of the Canada–Finland semi-final, saying the focus should be on the game and affirming that he is a "true Canadian" who wants Canada to win a gold medal. The exchange matters because it comes more than a year after he significantly damaged his relationship with Canada, while he maintains deep personal and professional ties to the United States.

Wayne Gretzky addresses tensions ahead of the Canada–Finland semi-final

Gretzky, who has been spending time in Milan, appeared on a television panel ahead of the men's semi-final between Canada and Finland. He made clear that his priority is the on-ice result and that he wants Canada to win a gold medal, stating he has never wavered from that position. He also described Canada and the United States as like "brothers and sisters, " suggesting disagreements will eventually be resolved.

Panel moment: James Duthie’s question and a clipped response

On the panel, host James Duthie framed the moment as reflective of an "unsettling year for Canadians, " saying tensions with the United States were at a level never seen in living memory and that Gretzky had been pulled into the discussion. Gretzky reacted by taking a two-handed grip on his microphone and offering a terse laugh, a response characterized as not happy. When asked what his message to Canadians would be, he replied that they should "worry about the game" first.

Why Wayne Gretzky says he’s 'a true Canadian' and will root for Canada

Despite extensive ties to the United States, Gretzky announced that he will be rooting for Canada in the U. S. vs. Canada gold medal game on Sunday morning. He reiterated that he is a hockey player and a Canadian, calling himself a true, die-hard Canadian and repeating that he wants Canada to win and has not wavered on that point. He noted he has been friends with presidents and prime ministers and suggested that heightened tensions will pass.

Connections to the United States: Trump, Melania, and life in America

Gretzky has developed a close relationship with the United States over many years. He has a known friendship with President Trump and the president's wife, Melania, and the Gretzky family has spent a lot of time with them. Gretzky has also spent much of his adult life living in the United States. Those ties are precisely why some observers say they will not immediately accept his current protestations of undivided Canadian loyalty.

Reaction and critique: deflection, resentment and what he could have done

Critics argue that Gretzky's answers amount to a classic deflection—steering the conversation back to hockey when broader grievances remain. One response characterized him as a "wonderful deflector" who framed the dispute as purely sporting. The same commentary noted a tone of resentment in his answers: that his loyalty has been questioned after he deliberately put his own loyalty in doubt. Observers pointed out that wearing the colors of someone who is attacking your country compounds that sense of betrayal.

The critique also rejected the "family squabble" analogy Gretzky used, noting that telling a worker in the manufacturing sector losing their job that this is simply a family disagreement will ring hollow. That argument extended to a string of examples offered in criticism: signing contracts, being accused by a parent of wrongdoing, warnings about foreign threats, and then being effectively cast out of the family home. Defenders of Gretzky counter that he did not ask to be a national representative and that the role was thrust on him; critics say he could have chosen to step back instead—move to Arizona and keep his visits home low-key rather than remain a lightning rod.

A separate commentary by Cathal Kelly examined how Canada’s nearly 50-year cultural romance with Gretzky came to an end, further underlining the depth of feeling around this episode. The broader picture remains one of mixed signals: a legendary player insisting on his Canadian identity while also carrying decades of American ties and high-profile friendships that complicate public perception. Recent updates indicate Gretzky has publicly committed to rooting for Canada on Sunday morning; details and reactions may continue to evolve.