Wayne Gretzky is heartbroken by recent backlash for his friendship with Donald Trump

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. 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.

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.

A lot more drama came out of the tournament, especially with Wayne Gretzky, who represented Canada in a pre-game ceremony before the final, because of his friendship with Donald Trump, who has threatened to annex Canada and eliminate their existence as an independence country.

He was met with a smattering of boos as well as criticism afterward for his association with Trump, and since, some of his friends, including Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Orr, have come to his defense.

Gretzky’s wife Janet Jones Gretzky has now revealed that her husband is heartbroken by the recent backlash he has received, writing on Instagram that “it has broken (Wayne’s) heart to read and see the mean comments.”

Janet Gretzky’s comments came after Trump called Wayne Gretzky “the greatest Canadian” and highlighted his loyalty to Canada in a Truth Social post Wednesday night. The U.S. President also stated that he doesn’t want Canadians to turn against Gretzky simply because of their friendship.

While his wife made comments on her post (that now appears to have been deleted), Gretzky himself has yet to address the issue.