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)
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New details have emerged surrounding the arrest of former Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch, who is facing two misdemeanor charges following a run-in with law enforcement just days ahead of the NFL Draft.
Branch, who is a projected second-round pick, was arrested early Sunday morning in Athens, Georgia, and charged with two counts of obstructing public sidewalks/streets – prowling and obstruction of a law enforcement officer.
Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Zachariah Branch celebrates after a touchdown catch against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Nov. 28, 2025. (Brett Davis/Imagn Images)
He was released after more than two hours in jail after posting $39 in bonds.
The NFL Network obtained the police report from Branch’s arrest, which described an encounter over an alleged sidewalk incident with law enforcement, in which police alleged that the former Bulldogs star failed “to comply with multiple verbal lawful commands.”
“A male, later identified as Zacharia Branch, continued to stand on the sidewalk without making an attempt to move. I continued to give Zacharia Branch verbal commands to move from blocking the sidewalk and advised that if he did not, he would receive a citation for blocking the sidewalk,” the excerpt from the report read.
Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch runs during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind., on Feb. 28, 2026. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
TOP NFL DRAFT PICK ZACHARIAH BRANCH ARRESTED IN GEORGIA ON TWO MISDEMEANOR CHARGES
“Zacharia Branch smirked, then stepped backwards and to the right, then remained standing upon the public sidewalk, so as to obstruct, hinder, and impede free passage upon the sidewalk as well as impede free ingress/egress to or from the adjacent places of business,” the report continued.
“Due to those actions and Zacharia Branch’s failure to comply with multiple verbal lawful commands, he was placed under arrest for misdemeanor Obstruction of LEO and received a citation for Obstructing Public Sidewalks.”
Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch celebrates with wide receiver Colbie Young after scoring a touchdown against Ole Miss during the Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La., on Jan. 1, 2026. (IMAGN)
Branch transferred after two seasons at Southern California and immediately became quarterback Gunner Stockton’s favorite target. He finished the season with a team-high 811 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns.
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His status as a projected second-round pick was bolstered after an impressive showing at the combine, where he clocked a 4.35-second 40-yard dash.
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For two-thirds of Sunday’s Long Beach Grand Prix, Alex Palou bided his time … waiting for the one break he needed.
It came in the form of a caution on the 58th lap, allowing him to overtake front-runner Felix Rosenqvist exiting pit lane and hold the lead the rest of the way, taking the checkered flag by 3.96 seconds for his third triumph in five IndyCar Series races this season and his first at Long Beach.
Right after being showered with applause and confetti at victory lane, the 29-year-old Spaniard thanked his crew, whose quick work on the last pit stop proved to be the difference.
“Everyone was coming in on that yellow and they did an incredible job,” he said. “We were either going to win it or not win right there.”
Rosenqvist settled for second and Scott Dixon, Palou’s Chip Ganassi Racing teammate, was third.
It was the 11th win over the last 22 races dating to 2024 for the Barcelona native and the 22nd win of his career, tying Tony Bettenhausen and Emerson Fittipaldi. It also vaulted Palou to the top of the series standings as he chases his fourth series championship in a row and fifth overall. Palou won the opener March 1 in St. Petersburg (also a street course) and the fourth race March 29 in Alabama.
Palou led for only 32 of the 90 laps Sunday and acknowledged it would have been difficult to catch Rosenqvist if not for the stoppage.
“I wasn’t giving up but it would’ve been tough to get him today,” Palou acknowledged. “He was already three seconds ahead. I was happy with my car but I was struggling more on the soft tires than the hards so I’d say my chances were low. The feeling was great seeing all the open space coming out of pit lane because when you spend 60 laps behind a car it disturbs you. I tried to match him on soft tires but it wasn’t working.”
Alex Palou speeds through a curve of the track.
(Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times)
In six starts at Long Beach, Palou never has finished lower than fifth.
There is little room to maneuver on the 1.968-mile course with 11 tight turns, but after starting in the third position next to defending champion Kyle Kirkwood, Palou managed to sneak past Pato O’Ward into second place heading into the first turn on Lap 2.
“Making that move on the straightaway was big because I knew it was one of our only chances to get a pass on Pato,” Palou said. “I got that good run on that last corner and he didn’t expect it.”
This year marked the 51st edition of the longest-running major street race in North America, which started in 1975 as part of the Formula 5000 Series, switched to the CART/Champ Car World Series in 1984 and joined the IndyCar Series in 2009.
The top four qualifiers started on softer, high-grip “alternate” tires to establish position while the rest of the grid started on harder, more durable “primaries” to manage degradation on the 110-degree track surface. Of the 25 starters, 24 completed the 177.12 miles.
“We were going to make the two-stop strategy work but didn’t know if it would be doable or not,” Palou added. “As soon as I saw I couldn’t get Felix it was all about patience, fuel and waiting for the right time. I owe this win to my team. Without that pit stop I probably wouldn’t be sitting here now. It only takes one mistake to go from second to seventh, but they’re great under pressure.”
Cars make their way down a straightaway during Long Beach Grand Prix.
(Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times)
Past winners Will Power and Josef Newgarden moved into the top two positions after Rosenqvist pitted, but the Swede regained the lead when Newgarden pitted for the first time on Lap 37 and dropped back to 14th.
The first 45 laps were caution-free as Rosenqvist, Palou, Kirkwood, David Malukas and O’Ward held the top five spots. Newgarden’s chances declined upon discovering a flat spot on his left front tire, and he dropped back to 14th.
Rosenqvist’s three-second lead was erased when debris on the track exiting the Aquarium Fountain drew the only yellow flag all afternoon and narrowed the gap. Capitalizing on favorable pit position, Palou emerged from the lane just ahead of Rosenqvist.
Rosenqvist. who won the pole position with a lap time of 1 minute 7.4625 seconds in qualifying, had mixed emotions as the runner-up after leading for 51 laps with no win to show for it.
“You want to win when you have an opportunity, but I’m proud of today,” Rosenqvist said.
“We weren’t as good as Alex on the blacks … the last pit cycle was the defining moment. We had to come around 14, he had more of an opening, and his crew nailed it. That happens.”
Kirkwood, who was vying for his third win in four years, finished right where he started in fourth.
“I had a good cushion and figured even with a bad stop I’d probably stay ahead but I knew there’d probably be a yellow at some point and there it came,” Rosenqvist lamented. “Considering Alex had primary [tires], also I think we would’ve been able to hold him off. It’s definitely disappointing when you can’t wrap it up.”
Dixon, who started in the sixth position, was third and earned his first podium this season and the 136th of his career.
Fans watch with two laps left in the race.
(Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times)
“The race itself was a bit blah — I sat in the same position for most of it,” Dixon said. “Luckily for us we had it easy out of that last stop.”
Al Unser Jr. holds the record for most wins at Long Beach, chalking up six in eight years, including an unmatched four in a row from 1988 to 1991.
Tom Sargent is becoming a fan of street circuits after two wins this weekend. Driving the Porsche 911 Cup for GMG Racing in the Mobil Pro Class, the 22-year-old Australian led from start to finish in Race 1 of the Carrera Cup North America on Saturday. In Race 2 on Sunday morning, he again started from the pole and claimed a 0.965-second victory over Aaron Jeansonne to complete the double.
In his last bid at Long Beach three years ago, he hit the wall on Lap 2 but still finished second.
“Momentum in sports is critical and the past few weeks have been really cool for me,” Sargent said. “I didn’t do any street circuit racing before I came to the States. Maybe it fits my driving style.”
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LAS VEGAS – Finn Balor and Dominik Mysterio were once brothers in arms in the Judgment Day. The two helped the faction run “Monday Night Raw” for several years.
As championships and opportunities came and went, the rift between Balor and Mysterio grew. It came to a head when Balor caused Mysterio to lose the Intercontinental Championship to Penta. Balor leaving the Judgment Day left Mysterio and Liv Morgan as the leaders with JD McDonagh, Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez sticking around.
Finn Balor is introduced before his match against Dominik Mysterio during WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 19, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The latter four chose to ride with Mysterio and attacked Balor on one episode of Raw.
The bitter war led to a match Sunday night at WrestleMania 42. To make matters more interesting, Raw General Manager Adam Pearce made the match a street fight hours before the show was set to begin.
Balor had vowed to bring the “Demon” out and he certainly did.
JACOB FATU PUTS DREW MCINTYRE IN THE ‘REAR VIEW’ IN UNSANCTIONED MATCH AT WRESTLEMANIA 42
Finn Balor is introduced before his match against Dominik Mysterio during WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 19, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Balor made his way to the ring in his “Demon” gear, dripping with red and black paint. Mysterio was in a mask with other Mysterio supporters.
The two then proceeded to beat the crud out of each other.
Mysterio wrapped Balor’s head in between a chair and hit a 619 on him. He tried to pin Balor, but to no avail. At another point, Mysterio tossed Balor through a table set up in the corner.
As many have learned, it’s hard to keep your demons down. Mysterio learned the hard way.
Balor would not give up. Balor clotheslined Mysterio, hit him with a chair multiple times before wrapping his head in between the chair and drop-kicking him into the corner. Balor put Mysterio onto a table and hit the Coup de Grâce for the win.
Dominik Mysterio is introduced before his match against Finn Balor during WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 19, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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Balor excised his own demons, while Mysterio is still haunted.
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