Why Gretzky's legacy just became more complicated for some Edmontonians

Heather Jeffares, sporting an Edmonton Oilers cap and jacket, recalls using her paper route money to pay for Oilers tickets to watch Wayne Gretzky play and standing outside the church during his wedding. 

But she is among the many Edmontonians whose view of Gretzky — an almost saintly figure in this city — has become complicated, amid political tension between Canada and the U.S. and increasing rhetoric from U.S. President Donald Trump that he wants to make Canada its 51st state.

"It's just confusing what side he's on," Jeffares said. "He's such an icon for Canada, you would think that people like that would rally behind the country right now. We need that."

Gretzky's tie to Trump is being scrutinized, particularly since Thursday night's 4 Nations Face-Off final between Canada and U.S.

The NHL, which held the competition to replace its all-star game, made Gretzky Canada's honourary captain ahead of the final. Before puck-drop in Boston, Gretzky wore a suit and tie — American honourary captain Mike Eruzione wore a U.S. jersey — and gave a thumbs-up to the U.S. team as he walked to the ice from their bench.

Canada ultimately hoisted the trophy after Connor McDavid, the Oilers' captain, potted the overtime-winning goal. Gretzky handed the Canadians hats that read, "Be great," after the victory.

The final was likely the most politically charged Team Canada hockey game in more than half a century, when Canada squared off against the Soviet Union in the 1972 Summit Series.

"People will argue that sport is no place for politics, but sport is the place to address a lot of the political issues that we're facing because it's the alternative to war," said Jennifer Walinga, a professor of communication and culture at Royal Roads University in Victoria. She also rowed for Canada at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea.

"They used the ice to stand up for themselves, stand up for their country and really take a stand as fierce and focused," she said. "It was beautiful."

While on the campaign trail, Trump promised to tariff Canadian imports and joked that Canada could become the 51st state of the union. Trump and the U.S. government have escalated that rhetoric since winning the election; stiff tariffs on Canadian goods could start as of March 4.

Gretzky, nicknamed "The Great One" and considered the greatest hockey player ever, won four Stanley Cups with the Oilers before being traded to the Los Angeles Kings in 1988. He has also represented Team Canada as a player and an executive.

But Gretzky, an Order of Canada recipient, has lived in the U.S. for years and he and his wife are friends with Trump. He attended Trump's inauguration ceremony in January and has visited Trump several times at Mar-a-Lago, the president's Florida home.

In late December, before Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation, Trump posted on his social media network, Truth Social, that he had visited Gretzky and urged him to run for prime minister, "soon to be known as the Governor of Canada."

Criticism about Gretzky has risen since Thursday's game, however.