Wayne Gretzky found himself at the center of some unwanted controversy after the Gold Medal Game between Canada and the USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
According to claims made by former NHL defenseman Mike Commodore on the “Barn Burner” podcast, Gretzky was supposedly informed by Hockey Canada president Katherine Henderson that he wasn’t welcome in the team’s locker room before the game. However, The Great One has quickly come out to quash that rumor and give the actual story to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
“There was a story this week about whether or not he was blocked by Hockey Canada to go in and read the lineup before the Gold Medal Game,” Friedman said during his weekly Saturday Headlines segment. “He reached out, and I think he just wanted to put this to bed. I don’t think he wants the story to continue. He said that he and his family were treated very well by Hockey Canada this week.
“But what he did say was that there was some kind of misunderstanding before the Gold Medal Game. He went down to ice level, and an IOC security person didn’t recognize Wayne Gretzky and told him he couldn’t be there, so he just left. I think, obviously, it’s a sensitive time. I don’t think he wanted Hockey Canada to be taking any heat that they didn’t deserve to take.”
Even before Gretzky’s statement to Friedman, Hockey Canada immediately came out against the story, denying the accusation in a tweet reply to former NHL defenseman Ryan Whitney.
While hockey’s greatest ever player not being recognized by IOC security at a literal hockey event is likely troubling to hear for the sport in general, it’s not the hot-button topic it would be if Hockey Canada were the ones behind Gretzky’s dismissal.
The situation comes as Gretzky continues to face criticism from Canadians for his friendly relationship with US President Donald Trump. The NHL’s all-time leading scorer was present at Trump’s presidential victory party and later his inauguration.
Trump consistently throws jabs at Gretzky’s home nation and threatens their sovereignty by trying to claim them as the 51st state.
“Yeah, [annexing Canada is a real thing],” Trump said last year. “I think Canada would be much better off being the 51st state because we lose $200 billion a year with Canada. And I’m not going to let that happen.”
In response to the consternation among his countrymen, Gretzky has said he understands the criticism but remains committed to Canada.
“Canadians are proud,” Gretzky said in December, per CTV News. “People are going to say and believe what they want. Bottom line is, I know in my heart I’m Canadian, stayed Canadian, and a Canadian citizen for life. Simple as that.
“I can’t vote in the U.S. because I live in the U.S. and I’m Canadian,” he continued. “I can’t vote in Canada because I don’t live in Canada. I’m not into politics. And so I can’t stop the prime minister from saying something. I can’t stop the president from saying something. I’m just a hockey player, simple as that.”
When asked on CBC to comment again on the tensions between the two nations during the semifinals of the Olympic tournament, Gretzky echoed similar sentiments.
“Very simple,” Gretzky said. “First of all, let’s worry about the game, right? That’s most important. Let’s hope that Canada can get to that final game. But, listen, I’m a hockey player. I’m a Canadian. I’m a true Canadian. I want Canada to win a gold medal. I’ve never wavered from that.
“I’ve been friends with presidents, prime ministers. Somehow, there’s been a little bit more tension than normal. At the end of the day, Canada and the U.S. are like brothers and sisters. They’re going to fight and argue, but eventually you come together, right? That’s the way I see it.”
The Canadians ultimately fell 2-1 to the Americans in overtime, losing the gold medal to their bitter rivals.
Gretzky played in just one Olympics for Canada during his career, with the team failing to medal at the 1998 Games in Nagano, Japan. He later served as executive director of the men’s hockey team during the 2002 Olympics, when the team won a gold medal in Salt Lake City.
