Wayne Gretzky recently addressed his national allegiance during a CBC pre-game panel appearance ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics men's hockey semifinal between Canada and Finland. Wearing a Canadian flag pin, Gretzky declared himself a "true Canadian" and expressed his unwavering desire for Canada's hockey team to win a gold medal. When questioned by host James Duthie about an "unsettling year for Canadians" and his perceived blurred loyalties, Gretzky initially emphasized focusing on the game, stating, "First of all, let's worry about the game. That's most important." He further elaborated, "I'm a hockey player. I'm a Canadian, I'm a true Canadian. I want Canada to wear a gold medal. I've never wavered from that." He also likened the relationship between Canada and the United States to "brothers and sisters" who "fight and argue, but eventually you come together." These comments follow ongoing controversy and criticism from many Canadians regarding Gretzky's friendship with former U.S. President Donald Trump, which previously drew strong reactions, particularly when he was introduced as Canada's honorary captain at the 4 Nations Cup. Critics have interpreted his statements as a deflection, questioning his definition of a "true Canadian" given his long-term U.S. residency and past actions.