NHL legend Wayne Gretzky was spotted at Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday as the president-elect has teased “The Great One” as Canada’s next leader.
Gretzky was tucked away to the left of Dallas Mavericks majority owner Miriam Adelson and UFC president Dana White. Gretzky was seen watching as Trump’s Cabinet nominees, lawmakers and other luminaries and dignitaries entered the Capitol Rotunda.
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Wayne Gretzky, right, seen at Donald Trump’s inauguration. (Pakinomist)
The former Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers superstar’s appearance came as Trump has touted the hockey legend as Canada’s next leader. On Christmas Day, Trump urged Canadian citizens to encourage Gretzky to become the next prime minister.
“I just left Wayne Gretzky, “The Great One, as he is known in ice hockey circles. I said, ‘Wayne, why are you running for Prime Minister of Canada, soon to be known as Governor of Canada – you would win easily, you wouldn’t even have to campaign,'” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“He had no interest, but I think people in Canada should start a DRAFT WAYNE GRETZKY movement. It would be so fun to watch!”
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Wayne Gretzky smokes a cigar during the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Pebble Beach Golf Links in California on February 8, 2020. (Michael Madrid-USA Today Sports)
As Trump teased Canadian lawmakers about making the country the “51st state” of the United States, Trump said he asked Gretzky to become “governor of Canada.”
“I was with Wayne Gretzky. I said, ‘Wayne, do you want to be governor of Canada?’ I can’t imagine anyone doing it better than Wayne, Trump said at a news conference at Mar-a-Lago earlier this month.
“Wayne wasn’t overly interested. But he probably would have liked statehood,” Trump added. “He’s a friend of mine. He’s a great guy. He’s the big one. We call him the big one, right? He’s a great hockey player.”
Gretzky didn’t seem swayed one way or the other.
President-elect Trump and Melania Trump as they meet with President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden on Inauguration Day, January 20, 2025. (Carlos Barria/Reuters)
The Hockey Hall of Famer was seen at Trump’s election victory party in November.
