As the Edmonton Oilers advance through the Stanley Cup final, hockey fans are debating whether to overlook hockey legend Wayne Gretzky's past public support for U.S. President Donald Trump. Despite recent criticism, including the vandalism of his statue and an online petition, many fans believe his significant contributions to hockey and the city of Edmonton should take precedence over his political affiliations.
Let bygones be bygones? Fans weigh in on criticism of Wayne Gretzky over Trump ties
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️As the Edmonton Oilers advance through the Stanley Cup final, hockey fans are debating whether to overlook hockey legend Wayne Gretzky's past public support for U.S. President Donald Trump. Despite recent criticism, including the vandalism of his statue and an online petition, many fans believe his significant contributions to hockey and the city of Edmonton should take precedence over his political affiliations.
Trending- 1 1979: Oilers' inception into the NHL.
- 2 1980s: Wayne Gretzky led the Oilers to four Stanley Cup victories.
- 3 January (previous year): Wayne Gretzky and his wife, Janet, attended Donald Trump's inauguration in Washington.
- 4 February (current year): An online petition started calling for a new name for Wayne Gretzky Drive.
- 5 March (current year): The Gretzky statue outside Rogers Place was vandalized.
- 6 Last month: Gretzky congratulated Dallas Stars players in their locker room.
- 7 Wednesday (June 5, 2025): Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final (Oilers vs. Panthers) took place.
- 8 Friday night (June 7, 2025): Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final is scheduled.
- Ongoing public debate about Wayne Gretzky's legacy and public image.
- Continued focus on the Edmonton Oilers' Stanley Cup run, potentially overshadowing the controversy for some fans.
- The controversy highlights the intersection of sports, celebrity, and politics.
What: Hockey fans are discussing whether to forgive Wayne Gretzky for his ties to Donald Trump's administration, as the Edmonton Oilers play in the Stanley Cup final.
When: The debate is ongoing 'recently'; Gretzky's statue was vandalized in March; An online petition started in February; Gretzky attended Trump's inauguration in January (previous year); He congratulated Dallas Stars players 'last month'; Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final was Wednesday (June 5, 2025); Game 2 is Friday night (June 7, 2025).
Where: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Rogers Place, Edmonton; Mar-a-Lago resort, Florida, United States; Washington, D.C., United States; Dallas, Texas, United States; Florida (where the Panthers are based).
Why: Gretzky's public support for Donald Trump, who has expressed a desire for Canada to join the U.S., has caused controversy among some Canadians. However, many Oilers fans want to focus on his unparalleled hockey legacy, especially during the team's Stanley Cup run.
How: Fans are expressing their opinions through interviews, social media, and actions like the vandalism of his statue and an online petition. The debate is highlighted by Gretzky's recent public appearances and comments.