Sport
Canadians name Wayne Gretzky a ‘traitor’ after anxious 4 Countries hockey ultimate
Wayne Gretzky was once offered because the honorary Canadian staff captain at Thursday evening’s 4 Countries Face-Off hockey ultimate — however let’s simply say the choice didn’t cross over that smartly with some hockey lovers, who aren’t best panning the verdict to place Gretzky within the function but additionally criticizing how “the Nice One” treated himself within the Boston area.
Gretzky, a former Edmonton Oiler and arguably the best hockey participant of all time, stepped onto the ice for the pre-game rite at TD Lawn subsequent to the U.S. bench and as he walked previous was once observed giving a thumbs as much as the American gamers. By contrast, audience at house spotted he didn’t do a lot to recognize the Canadian staff in entrance of the cameras.
Lovers additionally spotted that, in contrast to his honorary U.S. captain counterpart Mike Eruizone, who scored the well-known game-winning purpose in opposition to the Soviets within the 1980 Olympics and wore a U.S. jersey to Thursday evening’s festivities, Gretzky didn’t put on a Canada jersey forward of the matchup, sticking with a blue swimsuit, vest and tie as an alternative.
In all probability what drew essentially the most ire from Canadians is Gretzky being given the identify in spite of his shut ties with U.S. President Donald Trump in recent times.
Even supposing the gamers and coaches insisted that politics has no position in skilled sports activities and remained diplomatic forward of the NHL match, it’s no secret that the primary 4 Countries ultimate was once solid in a political shadow because the Trump management escalates an increasingly more competitive stance towards Canada, threatening price lists and annexation.
Other people couldn’t assist however marvel the place Gretzky stands after he was once observed cozying as much as the president at each Trump’s election victory birthday celebration closing November and however, along with his spouse Janet, on the presidential inauguration in January.
Trump has been making jabs at Canadian lawmakers about making the rustic the “51st state” and the 78-year-old printed that he had requested Gretzky to transform the “governor of Canada” following a Christmas Day seek advice from overdue closing 12 months.
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“I simply left Wayne Gretzky, ‘The Nice One’ as he’s identified in ice-hockey circles,” Trump posted on his social media platform Fact Social on Dec. 25.
“I stated, ‘Wayne, why don’t you run for high minister of Canada, quickly to be referred to as the governor of Canada — you could possibly win simply, you wouldn’t even need to marketing campaign.’ He had no passion.”
Trump reiterated the feedback two weeks later, telling newshounds at Mar-a-Lago he had a plan for Top Minister Justin Trudeau’s successor.
“I used to be with Wayne Gretzky. I stated, ‘Wayne, do you want to be the governor of Canada?’ I will’t believe anyone doing higher than Wayne,” Trump stated on the time.
“Wayne was once now not too . However he most certainly would have preferred statehood,” Trump stated. “He’s a pal of mine. He’s an excellent man. He’s the Nice One. We name him the Nice One, proper? He’s an excellent hockey participant.”
And whilst some Canadians may well be upset in Gretzky, they’re elated that Canada in the end went directly to win the 4 Countries Face-Off championship, as Connor McDavid scored in additional time for a 3-2 victory over the usA.
It sounds as if Gretzky, alternatively, will have despatched a bit behind-the-scenes goodwill to the Canadian gamers. In pictures from the staff’s post-game locker room celebrations, gamers are pictured dressed in crimson hats with the phrases “Be Nice” at the entrance, that are reported to had been a present from Gretzky.
International Information has reached out to Hockey Canada to substantiate.
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