The hockey world and the political world collided together exactly a week ago today when Canada and USA faced off against each other for the 4 Nations Final.

Canada, of course, emerged victorious thanks to OT hero Connor McDavid, but the impact of the game in the USA is likely to be felt for generations to come. The tournament created a lot of new hockey fans in the states and opened up a lot of eyes to this sport that we all know and love.

Given the tensions between Canada and the current American administration under President Donald Trump, it felt like more than just a hockey game. With Trump’s ’51st state’ rhetoric and with him threatening heavy tariffs against Canada, the 4 Nations Final felt like political theatre just as much as a sport.

Trump weighed in on the game ahead of time, asking Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to watch the game with him and his American cabinet. He, of course, used the opportunity to grand stand and to make wild claims about taking over Canada and making it American’s 51st state. Following Canada’s victory though, Trump pivoted and called Trudeau a ‘loser’ on social media. Alrighty then…

Now a week later, Trump is going to bat for The Great One. It’s no secret that Trump and The Great One Wayne Gretzky have a friendship and that Gretzky has been delicate about his public support for Trump. Sure, Gretzky and his wife Janet were at the President’s inauguration, but Gretzky has distanced himself from the President a bit since things have become tense between Canada and the USA.

Gretzky is a proud Canadian, but he’s also a proud American. He holds dual citizenship and loves both countries. Still, some Canadians can’t help but feel betrayed by the Great One lately. He hasn’t publicly criticized Trump and he appeared to even side with Team USA in the 4 Nations, despite being the team’s ‘honorary captain’.

Yesterday, Trump released a bizarre rant on social media where he appeared to vouch for Gretzky’s love of Canada. Trump

Check it out:

What on Earth did I just read?

What an absolute mess of rhetoric…

So… Gretzky loves Canada? Good enough for me.

My question is, ‘Did Wayne put him up to this?’

Why would Trump just send this out without context? Just bizarre all around…

Incidentally, on the same day that Trump has issued his defense of The Great One, legendary defenseman and Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Orr has offered up his own strange rant… albeit typed and released on social media via Janet Gretkzy.

Orr’s letter published on Janet’s Instagram account:

I might be wrong here, Bobby… but I don’t think anyone was boo’ing Gretzky for his lack of a Canadian jersey. I think they were booing him because of his ties to Trump. You know… the guy threatening to annex an entire nation?

I think if Gretzky really were “one of the greatest Canadians ever” he might stand up for his country when it matters most? Why is everyone else speaking for him? A simple ‘I do not support President Trump’s plans for annexation of Canada, my homeland. I will always support a free Canada’ would put all of this to rest pretty quickly.

Respectfully to Mr. Gretzky, Mrs. Gretzky and Mr. Orr, they’re simply out of touch if they think Canadians don’t have a right to be upset over fellow Canadians showing support for the current American administration. Especially when those Canadians are considered amongst “the greatest Canadians ever.”