Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky is speaking out about his Canadian roots, months after he came under scrutiny and criticism over his ties to the US president Donald Trump.
For recent episode belonging 100% hockey with Millard and Shannon podcast, Gretzky, 64, was asked if he understood the disapproval he received for “not standing up for the country over 51st state things Donald Trump said.”
“Oh, sure, because Canadians are proud of it, but here are two factors. I don't know how many people move to the United States, whether it's for business, entertainment or hockey, and I don't know the exact number, but I would tell you that over 90 percent of them become American citizens,” Gretzky said.
“I never became an American citizen. I'm Canadian. I can't vote in the US because I live in the US and I'm Canadian,” he continued. “I can't vote in Canada because I don't live in Canada.
“I don't do politics.”
Gretzky, who was criticized in Canada for supporting Trump, including attended a party on election night and at the inauguration declared that he could no more stop “the Prime Minister for saying something” than he could stop “the President for saying something.”
“I'm just a hockey player. It's simple.”
Host John Shannon asked Gretzky if he realized many Canadians want to hear his opinion when it comes to politics.
“Well, of course, but as I told the prime minister, he's not going to tell me how to play hockey. I'm not going to tell him what to do in politics. It's as simple as that,” Gretzky responded.
“I understand. Canadians are proud of this,” Gretzky added, before explaining what he told the former prime minister. Justin Trudeau that Canada should “make the United States the 12th province.”
In February, Gretzky was presented as an honorary captain of Team Canada during the tournament. Four Nations Clash hockey final and received boos from Team Canada fans after he was seen on camera giving the American players a thumbs up and not giving much credit to the Canadian team.
Fans also noticed that, unlike his honorary fellow U.S. captain Mike Eruizon, Gretzky did not wear a Team Canada jersey before the match, but instead wore a blue suit, vest and tie.
“People will say and believe what they want, right?” Gretzky said this during his podcast appearance on Wednesday.
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“The bottom line is that in my heart of hearts I know that I am a Canadian, a Canadian and a Canadian citizen for life.”
Gretzky also said he received a lot of support after the criticism.
“It probably would have hurt my father even more, so I'm glad he didn't have to see it,” Gretzky added, referring to his late father Walter.
After Gretzky was booed in February, he said Trudeau called him.
“It was a great phone call,” Gretzky said. “He reached out to me and gave me a great line. He said, “I’m calling you to give you a hug.” I said, “Okay, I need this right now.”
Trump also showed his support for Gretzky after backlash over Gretzky's disdain for Canada in the final of the 4 Nations Face-Off hockey tournament.
In a post on Truth Social, the president said he was concerned about Canadians. by including “The Great One” instead of their friendship.
“Wayne is my friend and wants to make me happy and is therefore somewhat reticent about Canada remaining a separate country rather than becoming the beloved and beautiful 51st state with much lower taxes, a free and powerful military, NO TARIFFs and a thriving economy,” Trump tweeted in late February.
Trump wrote that he would abandon his proposals for Gretzky to become the “governor” of Canada. the idea that he floats several times, both before and after Trudeau announced his plan to step down as prime minister.
“Wayne and Janet, his wonderful wife, love Canada and they should only support Canada and everything else that makes the Canadian people and Governor Justin Trudeau happy. He is the greatest Canadian ever and that's why I'm making him a 'free agent' because I don't want anyone in Canada to say anything bad about him.”
Trump first said he asked Gretzky to become “the governor of Canada” after a Christmas visit late last year.
“I just broke up with Wayne Gretzky, “The Great One” as he is known in hockey circles,” Trump. published in Truth Social December 25th.
“I said, 'Wayne, why don't you run for Prime Minister of Canada, who will soon be known as Governor of Canada – you'll win easily, you won't even have to campaign.' He had no interest.”
Trump repeated comments two weeks later, he told reporters at Mar-a-Lago that he had a plan for Trudeau's successor.”
“I was with Wayne Gretzky. I asked, “Wayne, would you like to become governor of Canada?” I can’t imagine anyone doing better than Wayne,” Trump said at the time.
— With files from Global News
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