Sports
Why Canadians are stung by Wayne Gretzky’s silence
As Canada played through controversy at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, its most beloved and iconic sports star grabbed a microphone and stood up for the nation. The Canadian men’s national team had just come from behind to tie the Czech Republic 3-3 in a heated round-robin match.
Wayne Gretzky, the executive director of Canada’s team, called media reports of unrest in the Canadian locker room “American propaganda.”
“I don’t think we dislike those countries as much as they dislike us,” he said. “They want to see us fail. They love beating us. … We’ve got to get that same feeling toward them.”
It was as fiery as hockey fans had seen the game’s greatest player since he’d retired a few years earlier. Canada was in pursuit of its first Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey in half a century.
“Am I hot? Yeah, I’m hot,” Gretzky said. “Because I’m tired of people taking shots at Canadian hockey. … It almost sickens my stomach to turn the TV on because I’m such a proud Canadian and such a fan of our game and very proud of all the guys in the locker room, and it makes me ill to hear some of the things that are being said about us.”
Gretzky’s emotional defense of Canada was an inspirational turning point for the star-packed Canadian team, which went on to win the gold medal on American soil.
Since Gretzky rose to fame as a teenage phenom in the 1970s and went on to rewrite almost every scoring record in the game, Canadians have viewed the Great One as a symbol of national pride.
Now, all the pride that Canadians have felt in the country’s greatest sporting export is being questioned. North of the border, that sentence was once unfathomable. But Gretzky’s allegiance to U.S. President Donald Trump — and his silence after Trump’s repeated calls to make Canada the 51st state while hammering the northern neighbor with crippling tariffs — has left many Canadians feeling deeply betrayed.
Gretzky has made headlines and newscasts across Canada. A petition to rename Gretzky Drive in Edmonton has more than 12,000 signatures.
Some of Gretzky’s defenders have called the criticisms unfair and politically motivated. But in Canada, the sentiment reaches beyond the political spectrum, into a deep, rising nationalism as the country feels backed into a corner.
For decades, Gretzky — fairly or not — has embodied a sense of patriotism that transcends sports.
Yes, Gretzky is the pride of Brantford, Ontario — the tiny boy who learned the game on a backyard rink. He came from a working-class family, which arrived in Canada by way of Ukraine. His journey toward excellence, with hard work and blue-collar spirit, felt representative of a nation.
Over the decades, Walter Gretzky, his father, was so frequently seen at small-town rinks that he became affectionately known as Canada’s hockey dad. He lived in the same house in Brantford until he died. People visited. The place felt common and familiar, an anywhere-in-Canada that became a portal to greatness.
And despite his fame, Gretzky himself always seemed to retain those small-town Canadian ideals. He was kind to fans, humble in interviews, but unapologetic in his pursuit of success and the will it took to achieve. Because of that folksy familiarity, it seemed like Gretzky’s connection to home never wavered, even at the height of his fame.
That’s how it felt, anyway.
If you grew up in Canada through the 1980s and 1990s, Gretzky was at the pinnacle of national esteem. He set untouchable records in Edmonton, and battled for Canadian glory on the ice — and then he wept after learning he was being exported to California.
In his greatness, the Canadian with the flowing blonde hockey hair made people talk about Canada. We watched him on Saturday morning cartoons, alongside Michael Jordan and Bo Jackson. We saw him in Coke and Nike commercials and referenced in Hollywood movies. He became internationally recognized in a way that no hockey player had before. Rising through a transformative era of globally connected media, Gretzky became the first Canadian to sit in the pantheon of the world’s sports legends.
So it is difficult to overstate the pride that many Canadians carry for Gretzky. But pride isn’t the only word here. There was also a sense of ownership: that Gretzky belonged to Canada.
This, of course, was never true.
Gretzky has lived in the U.S. since being traded to the Los Angeles Kings in 1988. He married an American and they raised their tightly knit, loyal and loving family south of the Canadian border. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen. The Gretzkys have had homes in California, Wyoming, Missouri and Florida.
In 2009, Gretzky was awarded with the nation’s highest civilian honor, companion of the Order of Canada. The award recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to community and service to the nation. But to date, Gretzky has not taken part in an investiture ceremony to receive the award from Canada’s Governor General at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.
Somewhere along the way, the idea of Gretzky as Canada’s constant ambassador became mythology.
A simple reality underscores so much of the hurt and resentment Canadians feel about the mockery and threats and economic attacks coming from the U.S. president. There is a sense of knowing that this northern nation orbits its larger neighbor. There’s an unmentioned understanding that our greatest points of pride — indeed, or own sovereignty — can be swallowed by the behemoth.
Gretzky was Canada’s, until America inevitably claimed him.
Over the past decade, I’ve had several in-depth conversations with Gretzky. He was thoughtful, willing to reflect on all the joy and pain in his life. He spoke of Canada fondly, with a sincere sense of gratitude.
Gretzky did not respond to a text requesting to speak for this story.
In the past, we’ve chatted about the passion he showed at 2002 Olympics, and later about the death of his close friend and mentor Ace Bailey in the 9/11 terror attacks. We spoke about his late father, his family and his legacy in the game — for which Gretzky mostly deferred to the greatness of other players. I followed him as he crossed the field at Fenway Park during the NHL’s outdoor classic, as fans of all generations called out to him — “Wayne! Wayne! Gretzky! Gretzky!”
That aura follows Gretzky wherever he goes. For years, it seemed like that would always be the case. But now in Canada, for many people, the image of Gretzky as a revered symbol of national pride has faded. And that’s not because of his politics or where he chooses to live. It’s not even because of anything Gretzky has done himself. It’s because we know the myth was never real and that maybe it was never a fair standard to hold him to.
There was politicized criticism when images of Gretzky first emerged celebrating Trump’s election victory at Mar-a-Lago, and later when he attended the president’s inauguration. But that wasn’t what Canadians were really upset about. It was what came later, when Trump turned his focus to Canada — and Gretzky, the national hero, stayed silent.
Wayne Gretzky and his wife, Janet, attended U.S. President Donald Trump’s inauguration in January. (Kevin Lamarque / Pool / Getty Images)
Introduced as ambassador of the Canadian team inside TD Garden ahead of the 4 Nations Face-Off Final a few weeks ago — a best-on-best match between Canada and the U.S. — Gretzky walked out from the American side of the benches wearing a suit while acknowledging players from both teams. He was greeted with tepid applause and a smattering of boos. From the stands, it was hard to decipher whether the lukewarm response was directed at Gretzky or his role representing Canada. The crowd heavily favored the Americans, but about a third of the building supported the northern rivals. In calmer times, Gretzky’s entrance would have faced a passing degree of scrutiny and then would have been forgotten.
But these aren’t calm times north of the border. And when criticism swelled, fairly or not, Gretzky’s silence was interpreted as a statement.
Bobby Orr — another Canadian-born hockey icon — defended Gretzky in a letter published by the Toronto Sun, calling his Hall of Fame counterpart “one of the greatest Canadians ever.”
Gretzky has represented Canada as a player and an executive for decades, Orr wrote, criticizing “fickle” people who have turned on him for his personal beliefs.
“Wayne respects your rights and beliefs,” Orr wrote. “Why can’t you respect his?”
Janet Gretzky shared a message on Instagram thanking Orr for coming to her husband’s defense.
“I have never met anyone who is more proud to be Canadian and it has broken his heart to read and see mean comments. … He would do anything to make Canadians proud, with his love for hockey and his country.”
There hasn’t been an uproar about the silence of so many other Canadian-born celebrities who found their fame and fortune in the United States. But then, there aren’t any photos of them in a MAGA hat supporting the president who has called for the country to be annexed.
President Trump also chimed in, posting on social media that he doesn’t want Canadians to turn on Gretzky.
“He is 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 Ole’ U.S.A.!”
Those taunts were met with more silence from Gretzky and a stinging realization that hurts Canadians even more. In this moment of national upheaval, the Great One is on the opposite bench.
(Illustration: Demetrius Robinson / The Athletic. Photo: Saul Loeb-Pool via Imagn Images)
Sports
NBA player calls for Hawks to cancel their ‘Magic City’ strip club promotional night out of respect for women
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An NBA player has taken exception to an Atlanta Hawks promotional night, which is a nod to a famed strip club in the city.
The Hawks have “Magic City Night” scheduled for March 16 against the Orlando Magic, but a player for neither team isn’t too fond of paying tribute to a strip club, which has been famed for its late-night stories involving athletes, celebrities and more.
While the Hawks call it an ode to a “cultural institution,” San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet shared his displeasure in a letter posted on Medium.
Luke Kornet of the San Antonio Spurs reaches for the ball during the third quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on Feb. 26, 2026 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
Kornet, a nine-year veteran and 2024 NBA champion with the Boston Celtics, called for the Hawks’ promotional night to be canceled later this month, saying that it is disrespectful to women to honor the strip club.
“In its press release, the Hawks failed to acknowledge that this place is, as the business itself boasts, “Atlanta’s premier strip club.” Given this fact, I would like to respectfully ask that the Atlanta Hawks cancel this promotional night with Magic City,” Kornet wrote in his post.
“The NBA should desire to protect and esteem women, many of whom work diligently every day to make this the best basketball league in the world. We should promote an atmosphere that is protective and respectful of the daughters, wives, sisters, mothers, and partners that we know and love.”
The Hawks boasted about the theme night in its press release, including a live performance by famous Atlanta rapper T.I., a co-branded, limited-edition hoodie and even the establishment’s “World Famous” lemon-pepper chicken wings in the arena.
A general view of signage with the State Farm Arena logo on Nov. 14, 2025, outside State Farm Arena, in Atlanta, GA. (Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire)
“This collaboration and theme night is very meaningful to me after all the work that we did to put together ’Magic City: An American Fantasy’,” said Hawks principal owner, filmmaker and actor, Jami Gertz, said in a press release. “The iconic Atlanta institution has made such an incredible impact on our city and its unique culture.”
Kornet wrote that allowing the night to continue “without protest would reflect poorly on us as an NBA community, “specifically in being complicit in the potential objectification and mistreatment of women in our society.”
Kornet wrote that “others throughout the league” were surprised by the Hawks’ decision to have this promotional night.
“We desire to provide an environment where fans of all ages can safely come and enjoy the game of basketball and where we can celebrate the history and culture of communities in good conscience. The celebration of a strip club is not conduct aligned with that vision,” he wrote.
Luke Kornet of the San Antonio Spurs defends against the Charlotte Hornets during their game at Spectrum Center on Jan. 31, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
The Hawks have seen good reception for the promotional night, as Tick Pick reported a get-in price was initially $10 for the game and has since skyrocketed to $94.
Kornet is in his first season with the Spurs, his sixth NBA team, where he has played mainly in a bench role. He averages 7.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game across 50 contests.
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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — How do you improve on the perfect ending?
Clayton Kershaw stood in the desert heat Monday, wearing a far darker shade of blue than the Dodgers do. He does not need a medal, or a chance to fail. His election to the Hall of Fame will be a formality.
In his farewell year, the Dodgers won the World Series, becoming baseball’s first back-to-back champions in 25 years. He secured a critical out. He bathed in adoration at the championship rally, and he told the fans he would be one of them this year.
“I’m going to watch,” he hollered that day, “just like all of you.”
Four months later, he was back in uniform.
He wore a dark blue jersey with red-and-white piping. As Team USA ran through its first World Baseball Classic workout, Kershaw participated in pitchers’ fielding practice and shagged fly balls during batting practice. He could have been home with his five kids, and instead he was rushing off the mound to take a throw at first base.
That November night in Toronto, as it turned out, was not the last time we would see him in uniform.
“Feels good,” he said Monday. “I wouldn’t put on a uniform for anything else. This is a special thing.”
He put the World Baseball Classic into red, white and blue perspective.
“It’s a bucket list thing for me,” he said.
He is either self-deprecating or painfully honest about his capabilities right now, or perhaps a little of both.
The last World Baseball Classic came down to Shohei Ohtani pitching to Mike Trout. This one could come down to Kershaw pitching to Ohtani.
“I think, for our country’s sake, it’s probably better if I don’t,” Kershaw said.
Former Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw fields a ground ball during a workout at Papago Park Sports Complex on Monday.
(Chris Coduto / Getty Images)
Never say never. Team USA planned to run a tremendous rotation of Tarik Skubal, Paul Skenes, Joe Ryan and Logan Webb, but now Skubal says he will pitch just once in the tournament. Skenes says he’ll pitch twice. Ryan says he won’t pitch in the first round, at least.
Kershaw might be needed beyond the role he was promised: save the team from using the current major league pitchers in blowouts or extra innings.
In 11 career at-bats against Kershaw, Ohtani has no hits. Kershaw won’t duck the assignment if gets it, but he considers it so unlikely he is happy to share his game plan publicly.
“It’s throw it, pitch away, play away, hope he flies out to left,” Kershaw said. “Don’t throw it in his barrel.
“I can’t imagine, if it comes down to USA versus Japan, with the arms that we have, that I’ll be needed. But I’ll be ready.”
Kershaw’s average fastball velocity dropped to 89 mph last season, but he led the majors in winning percentage. He could eat innings for some team — maybe even the Dodgers, with Blake Snell and Gavin Stone all but certain to be unavailable on opening day.
Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, right, celebrates with teammates after the Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays for the 2025 World Series title.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
But, even with his success last year and even with the joy of wearing a uniform once again, he insists he isn’t interested in pitching beyond the WBC.
“I don’t want to,” he said. “You can’t end it better than I did last year. I had a great time last year. It was an absolute blast and honor to be on that team. I think that was the perfect way to end it. Honestly, I don’t know if I would have enough in the tank to pitch for a full season again. I’m really at peace with that decision.
“This is kind of a weird one-off thing, but you can’t really turn down this opportunity. It wasn’t easy to get ready for this, with no motivation for a season, but I actually am in a pretty good spot with my arm. I’ll be fine. If they need me, I’ll be ready.”
Kershaw said he has kept in touch with his old Dodgers teammates, with some connecting on video calls from the weight room or clubhouse at Camelback Ranch. He arrived in the Phoenix area two days before the workout, but he skipped a trip to Camelback Ranch.
“I’ve thought about it,” he said. “I miss the guys. I think it’s probably just better, at least for this first year, for me mentally to just stay away, just for spring training.”
Kershaw said he would be at Dodger Stadium for the championship ring ceremony March 27.
He is content with what he calls “Dad life.” He and his wife, Ellen, just welcomed their fifth child, and Dad life includes lots of shuttles to baseball and basketball practice.
“I run an Uber service,” Kershaw said.
This wouldn’t be a Dodgers story these days without some reference to the team’s big spending so, for what it’s worth, Kershaw spent some time Tuesday chatting with Skubal, who will be the grand prize on the free-agent market next winter, or whenever the likely lockout might end.
That’s a rational explanation, Kershaw says, for Skubal pitching just once in the WBC.
“Everybody knows the situation he is in, contract-wise,” Kershaw said. “Any innings we can get out of him is a huge bonus to this team. He’s great. Super competitive. We’re honored to have him.”
Should we assume Skubal will be pitching for the Dodgers next season? Kershaw laughed.
“No comment,” he said, then walked away to get ready for the first game of his post-retirement life.
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Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley sounded off on the frenzied reactions to the U.S. men’s hockey team getting invited to the White House by President Donald Trump.
Trump talked to the Olympic gold medal-winning team immediately after they defeated Canada in overtime last weekend. He said they would be invited to his State of the Union address and added that he needed to invite the women’s team as well or he would be “impeached.”
Charles Barkley sits courtside against the Minnesota Timberwolves during an NBA Cup game at Mortgage Matchup Center on Nov. 21, 2025. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
Trump critics took the joke as a shot at the women’s team, which sparked questions from NHL and Professional Women’s Hockey League reporters as the players returned to their respective club teams.
“I’m proud of the United States men. I’m proud of the United States women. You should have invited both of them to the White House, but it shouldn’t have been disrespect, misogyny,” Barkley said on the “Steam Room” podcast. “Like, yo, man, why do y’all have to mess everything up? Everything isn’t Democrat, Republican, conservative, liberal. That’s why we got this divided, screwed up country. Stop it man. Because, you know, the public, they’re idiots. They’re fools. They can’t think for themselves. I know y’all say stuff to trigger them. Y’all say stuff and y’all know they’re going to be fools.”
Barkley lamented that the average person would get riled up over the supposed controversy.
The U.S. team poses for a group photo after defeating Canada in the men’s ice hockey gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Milan, Italy, on Feb. 22, 2026. (Luca Bruno/AP Photo)
“We don’t have to fall for stupidity. But we do – that’s my point. These people out here are stupid. They need something to trigger them. Just because they want us to be stupid. We don’t have to be stupid. He should have invited both teams to the White House. Simple as that. Guys who didn’t want to go shouldn’t have to explain why they didn’t go.”
The former Philadelphia 76ers, Houston Rockets and Phoenix Suns star made clear he would go to the White House regardless of whether Trump was in office.
“I’ve said this before, I’m not a Trump guy. But if I got invited to the White House, I would go. I’m not a Trump guy – I want to make that clear. But I respect the office,” Barkley said. “He’s the president of the United States. But if guys don’t want to go, I understand that too. It doesn’t have to be a talking point. It doesn’t have to be un-American.
Megan Keller (5) celebrates with a flag alongside Cayla Barnes (3) of Team United States after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime during the women’s gold medal match against Canada on Day 13 of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milan Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, Italy, on Feb. 19, 2026. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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“I just wish y’all would stop falling for the stupidity.”
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