Wayne Gretzky clears Olympic loyalty, picks side between Canada and Team USA: "I am a true..."

Wayne Gretzky did not leave room for doubt this time. As Canada closed in on another Olympic gold medal game, the country’s most recognizable hockey voice reminded everyone where his heart lives. Speaking before the Milano Cortina showdown, Gretzky addressed the noise that had followed him for months. Questions about his political friendships had grown louder. His answer, though, sounded simple and deeply personal.The timing made it matter more. Canada had just battled past Finland in a tense semifinal, keeping its perfect Olympic run alive. A familiar rival, the United States, hovered on the other side of the bracket. With emotions rising across the hockey world, Gretzky’s words carried the weight of history and identity.Wayne Gretzky spoke on CBC ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 final and made his feelings clear. “I’m a hockey player. I’m a Canadian, a true Canadian,” Gretzky said. “I want Canada 🇨🇦 to win a gold medal. I’ve never wavered from that.”It was a direct response to months of public debate in Canada, much of it tied to his friendship with Donald Trump. For some fans, that relationship created uncertainty. Gretzky did not sound defensive. He sounded steady. His focus remained on the ice and the country whose jersey he once wore with pride.Canada earned its place in the final the hard way. The semifinal win over Finland followed a dominant group stage that included victories over Czechia, Switzerland, and France. They even survived an overtime scare in the quarterfinals. Now, they wait to see if the United States can get past Slovakia to renew one of hockey’s fiercest rivalries.Gretzky acknowledged that the atmosphere feels different this time. “I’ve been friends with prime minsters and presidents. Somehow there’s been a little bit more tension than normal,” Gretzky said. “At the end of the day, Canada and the US are like brothers and sisters, they’re gonna fight and argue but eventually they’ll come together. That’s the way I see it.”His connection to the game still runs deeper than any headline. After the Canadian women fell short against the Americans earlier in the tournament, Gretzky reflected on how far the sport has come. “One of the things I’m most proud of, and didn’t even come from me, but my dad was a big believer in women’s sports,” Gretzky said. “And he had one of the very first women’s hockey tournaments in Brantford, Ontario, way back in the mid-80s.”Even decades after retiring, his voice still echoes. His records with the Edmonton Oilers and his place in hockey history ensure that when Gretzky speaks, Canada listens. And right now, he is cheering for gold.