Secret Agent #99.
That’s hockey icon Wayne Gretzky’s new title after US president and enforcer-in-chief Donald Trump appointed The Great One a special ambassador and future governor of his coveted 51st State.
Writing on his social media platform Truth, the Donald defended his “friend” as a true patriot amid criticism from his fellow Canuckleheads as a Brantford Benedict Arnold.
“He’s the Greatest Canadian of them all, and I am therefore making him a ‘free agent, because I don’t want anyone in Canada to say anything bad about him,” Trump wrote. “He supports Canada the way it is, as he should, even though it’s not nearly as good as it could be as part of the Greatest and Most Powerful Country in the World, the Good Ol USA!”
The controversy escalated following the 4 Nations Face-Off final, where Canada defeated the United States in a dramatic 3-2 overtime victory.
Gretzky, who served as Team Canada’s honorary captain, was criticized by some fans for not wearing a Canadian jersey during his introduction and for giving a thumbs-up to the US team as he entered the ice through the American bench.
His past support for Trump, including attending the president’s 2024 election victory party and inauguration, has only fuelled frustrations.
Trump’s comments, along with his past remarks about annexing Canada and imposing tariffs, have strained relations between the two allies. His suggestion that Gretzky should run for prime minister — only to become ‘the governor of Canada’ under US rule has been widely mocked in Canada.
Gretzky hasn't lived in Canada since he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings from the Oilers on August 9, 1988.
Even in Edmonton, where Gretzky’s legacy is deeply ingrained in the city’s hockey culture, frustration has boiled over into action. A petition calling for the renaming of ‘Wayne Gretzky Drive’ — formerly the Capilano Freeway — has gained thousands of signatures, arguing that his close ties to Trump make him unworthy of such an honour.
Letters to the editor in Edmonton newspapers have expressed disappointment, with one calling him a “traitor” for appearing at Trump’s election party and another stating: “We have long celebrated Gretzky as ‘The Great One,’ yet he has turned his back on the country that made him a legend.”
Nonetheless, hockey luminaries have rushed to his defence. The Winnipeg Sun called attempts to tarnish Gretzky’s legacy as an international hockey ambassador nothing less than “Canadian McCarthyism.”
Hockey great Bobby Orr penned an opinion piece in the Toronto Sun, urging fans to separate sports from politics. “Listen, we all have our personal beliefs,” Orr wrote. “Wayne respects your right to such beliefs, why can’t you respect his?”
Don Cherry weighed in as well, arguing that the controversy was more about Trump than Gretzky. “They’re mad at Trump,” Grapes said. “Gretzky gave a thumbs-up, but he would’ve given the thumbs-up to the Canadian players too.”
Even long-time rival and former Flame Theo Fleury weighed in: “Cancel culture is making a comeback, lol,” he posted on Twitter (“X”).
Despite the political storm, Gretzky remains one of the most accomplished figures in hockey history. His 2,857 career points, including 894 goals and 1,963 assists, still stand as NHL records.
His name and statue remain central to Edmonton’s identity, but for some, his perceived alignment with Trump has cast a shadow over his once-unquestioned status as a Canadian hero.
