Hockey legend Bobby Orr came in defense of Wayne Gretzky in an up-up on Saturday when “The Great” flaked his performance as Team Canada’s honorary captain of the 4 National Final.
Most of the criticism came over Gretzky’s apparent support from President Donald Trump. Gretzky was seen as a victory celebration in Florida when Trump won the presidential election in 2024 and was at his inauguration in January. Trump has also teased Canada and called Justin Trudeau “The Governor” in “51st State.” Trump has even floated the idea that Gretzky became the next governor of Canada.
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New York Rangers’ Wayne Gretzky celebrates scoring a goal against the stars in Dallas, November 7, 1997. (AP Photo/LM OTERO, File)
Orr wrote in Toronto Sun that he was filled with “disappointment” when he read the criticism of someone he considers one of the “greatest Canadians ever.”
“How unclear can people be when someone who has given so much time and effort to Canadian hockey is treated in such a way,” read Orr’s column. “Listen, we all have our personal convictions as they relate to things like religion and politics. Wayne respects your right to such beliefs – why can’t you respect his?”
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Canadian retired professional hockey player Wayne Gretzky arrives at the president’s inauguration in the American Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025. (Saul Loeb-Pool via imagn images)
Orr highlighted Gretzky’s charitable actions against co -canadians throughout his professional career and after that.
“Please, let’s take a time -out. Expand a little grace and a little respect for a good man and a great Canadian.”
Gretzky has not spoken one way or the other about Trump’s support.
“I was with Wayne Gretzky. I said, ‘Wayne, would you like to be Governor of Canada?’ I can’t imagine anyone doing better than Wayne, “Trump said at a press conference in Mar-A-Lago earlier this month.
Wayne Gretzky smokes a cigar under AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in Pebble Beach, California, February 8, 2020. (Michael Madrid -usa Today Sports)
“Wayne wasn’t too interested. But he would probably have wished for state,” Trump added. “He’s one of my friends. He’s an amazing guy. He’s the big one. We call him the big one? He’s not? He’s an amazing hockey player.”
