Gretzky serves as Canada’s honorary captain
Wayne Gretzky steps on the ice where he is celebrated as Canada’s honorary captain at the 4 Nations Face-Off
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The Athletic just that. More than 80 percent said they did indeed care, and 15 of the 16 polled players participating in 4 Nations were all for it.
Wayne Gretzky as Team Canada’s honorary captain doesn’t score with everyone
The Great One serving as Team Canada’s honorary captain made for some great debate on Thursday night.
Wayne Gretzky’s on-ice appearance at TD Garden in Boston during the pre-game ceremony for the Canada-U.S. final at the 4 Nations Face-Off was trending on social media.
The NHL’s all-time scoring leader’s accolades have never been in question. His political affiliations, however, have been a hot-button issue in some corners.
Gretzky received a mix of cheers and boos inside the arena.
No. 99 has made several public appearances alongside U.S. President Donald Trump.
“The neighbourhood pub I am in just booed Gretzky. What a world we live in,” one Canadian commenter said on social-media site X.
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“Americans so unsure about whether to boo Gretzky bc he’s Canadian or cheer him because he’s Trumpy,” said another user.
“No Canadian will be spared,” said one other user.
Yet another poster suggested Canada should have invited Hayley Wickenheiser to be the team’s honorary captain.
Trump has pushed the idea of making Canada the 51st state in the U.S. Gretzky’s wife, Paulina, has supported the concept. Trump has likewise suggested Gretzky would be a good fit to replace Justin Trudeau as prime minister.
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,” she shared, quoting one of Gretzky’s most famous statements, while reposting Trump on her Instagram Stories.
Gretzky and some of his family appeared at Trump’s victory party after he was re-elected as America’s 47th president.
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