BROWN: Wayne Gretzky deserves our respect, not our scorn

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There are few figures in Canadian history who have given more to this country than Wayne Gretzky. He is not just our greatest hockey player; he is a cultural icon, a source of national pride, and a man who has represented Canada with dignity, grace, and unwavering loyalty for decades. And yet, in this era of hyper-polarization, we are seeing a deeply un-Canadian phenomenon unfold —people questioning the loyalty of one of our greatest citizens because of his friendship with the current U.S. president.

Yes, Gretzky is friends with U.S. President Donald Trump. But he was also friends with Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, the architect of free trade, and delivered a heartfelt eulogy at his funeral. He is not defined by politics; he is simply a global citizen who has transcended the game of hockey and built relationships with leaders around the world. Shouldn’t we be proud that a Canadian has been so successful that world leaders, including U.S. presidents, want to know him?

Gretzky has done more to bring our game to the world than perhaps any other player. His move to California expanded hockey’s reach in the United States in ways that were unimaginable before. His “99 Tour” during the NHL lockout elevated our game in Europe, ensuring that hockey remained a global sport. He wore the Maple Leaf with pride and carried our national sport onto the world stage, and for that, he should be celebrated, not condemned.

Bobby Orr, another Canadian hockey legend, summed it up best: “Remember, this is a man who wore the Maple Leaf on multiple occasions with pride. As both a player and administrator, he has brought nothing but glory to his homeland year after year, decade after decade.” And Janet Gretzky put it even more plainly: “I have never met anyone who is more proud to be a Canadian.”

If there is one moment that should put this manufactured controversy to rest, it’s the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. Canada was in the midst of a 50-year gold medal drought in men’s Olympic hockey. The team was struggling, and doubts were creeping in. It was Gretzky — who wasn’t even playing but was serving as Team Canada’s executive director — who stepped forward and gave one of the most impassioned defenses of Canadian hockey ever witnessed. He called out the critics, rallied the team, and infused them with the confidence they needed to win. When Canada finally won that gold medal, it wasn’t just a hockey victory; it was a national triumph. That is what Gretzky has always represented — a deep, unshakeable love for his country and an instinctive ability to make us all proud to be Canadian.

It is worth remembering just how many times Gretzky put this country on his back. At just 16 years old, he led the 1978 World Juniors in scoring, bringing Canada its first-ever gold medal in the tournament’s history. He was the driving force behind Canada’s victory in the 1984 Canada Cup, setting up Paul Coffey’s game-winning goal against the Soviets. In the legendary 1987 Canada Cup final, he delivered the perfect pass to Mario Lemieux for the game-winning goal. Even at 35 years old, he still played his heart out for Canada at the 1996 World Cup of Hockey. And who could forget him braving the Vancouver rain to carry the Olympic torch and light the cauldron at the 2010 Winter Olympics?

But Gretzky’s contributions to Canada go beyond hockey. He has also been a champion for youth sports and community development. Through the Wayne Gretzky Foundation, he has provided underprivileged children with opportunities to participate in hockey, ensuring that the game remains accessible to all Canadians, regardless of their financial situation. His foundation has donated millions to minor hockey programs, providing equipment, funding, and access to rinks for kids who otherwise might never have had the chance to play.

Gretzky has also been deeply involved in philanthropy, supporting hospitals, education initiatives, and community charities across Canada. He has raised millions for causes like the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, SickKids Hospital in Toronto, and many other organizations dedicated to improving the lives of Canadians. His name is not just a symbol of excellence in sports—it is a name that has helped build a better country through generosity and community leadership.

This is a man who has given more to Canada than most of us could ever dream of. He has taken hits for this country — literally. He’s played through injuries, through broken ribs and concussions, through the wear and tear of carrying a nation’s hopes on his back. And now, he is being criticized for what? For not making a political statement to satisfy social media outrage? For being friends with the wrong person?

Canadians are fair people, or at least we used to be. We judge people by their actions, not by their associations. We recognize that one’s friendships do not define one’s loyalty to one’s country. And we certainly don’t turn on our national heroes because they fail to meet some arbitrary political litmus test.

We live in a time when some want to erase our history — tearing down statues of John A. Macdonald, questioning the legacy of our greatest figures, and now, targeting Wayne Gretzky. Erase Gretzky. Erase Macdonald. What’s next? Maple syrup and beavers? Are we really so quick to abandon the symbols that make us who we are?

Who knows — maybe Gretzky is the one person who can get through to Trump. Instead of attacking Gretzky, maybe we should recognize the advantage of having someone with his influence, someone who can speak to large audiences in the U.S. about why Canada is not for sale.

The real danger to Canada is not Gretzky. It is the reckless threats coming from Washington, where the prospect of crippling tariffs and economic hardship is being dangled over our heads. That is where our outrage should be directed. Not at a man who has spent his entire life making us proud, but at the very real and very serious threat to our economic well-being and national sovereignty.

Gretzky embodies the spirit of Canadian patriotism. His unwavering commitment to our national sport and his philanthropic endeavors have enriched countless lives and strengthened the fabric of our nation. In honouring and cherishing national heroes like Gretzky, who have worn the Maple Leaf with pride, we affirm our sovereignty and identity as Canadians. To question his loyalty is not only to misunderstand his legacy but also to risk losing a part of ourselves. Let us celebrate Gretzky for the Canadian patriot he is and recognize that in valuing such figures, we uphold the very essence of our nation.

– Patrick Brown is the Mayor of Brampton 

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