Wayne Gretzky has come under fire from Canadians for his lack of support for Canada and his past support of Donald Trump. Now, the one and only Bobby Orr has stepped in to defend The Great One—but it backfired, with many fans calling him out for missing the point.
The 4 Nations Face-Off was a massive success, with hockey fans worldwide loving the entertainment. However, much of the conversation also revolved around the growing tensions between the United States and Canada. In the lead-up to the tournament, President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Canada and even joked about making the country the “51st state,” referring to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as a “governor.”
This led to backlash against Gretzky. He had previously shown support for Trump by attending his inauguration in January, and during the tournament, he remained silent on the matter—leading many to believe he failed to stand up for Canada when he should have.
Bobby Orr defends Wayne Gretzky
The criticism intensified when Gretzky, serving as Team Canada’s honorary captain for the 4 Nations final, appeared on the ice without wearing a Canadian jersey, further frustrating fans.
The backlash grew loud enough to prompt a response from another hockey legend: Bobby Orr. Widely considered the greatest defenseman of all time, Orr penned an op-ed in the Toronto Sun, expressing disappointment over the attacks on Gretzky, whom he called the “greatest Canadian ever.”
“How fickle can people be, when someone who has given so much time and effort to Canadian hockey is treated in such a way?” Orr wrote. “Listen, we all have our personal beliefs when it comes to things like religion and politics. Wayne respects your right to your beliefs—why can’t you respect his?”
Fans slam Bobby Orr
But Orr’s defense of Gretzky didn’t land as he had hoped. Instead, fans took to social media to criticize Orr for misunderstanding the issue, with many also pointing out that he himself endorsed Trump in 2016.
“I absolutely respect the incredible achievements of Gretzky (and Orr himself, for that matter) in hockey. No problem there. But past success, no matter who you are, doesn’t shield you from valid criticism,” one user wrote.
“Bobby Orr—the same guy who paid for a newspaper ad endorsing Trump? That guy?” another added.
“They all know why fans are booing Gretzky. They just don’t want to address the real issue,” a third person commented.
“Great skater. Terrible thinker,” a fourth wrote.
“Gretzky, the so-called great Canadian who skipped his own Order of Canada ceremony and still hasn’t picked up his medal? Sure, Bobby, go to bed, old man,” another said.
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