“He snubbed them”: Don Cherry critiques Wayne Gretzky's honorary captain role amid Donald Trump’s tariff dispute at 4 Nations Face-Off finals

Don Cherry defended Wayne Gretzky amid backlash over his role as Team Canada’s honorary captain at the 4 Nations Face-Off. Fans criticized Gretzky for appearing aligned with the U.S. and his past support for Donald Trump. Cherry urged respect for Gretzky’s legacy, despite political tensions and controversy.

Hockey Canada secured an overtime victory, but many fans remained upset with Wayne Gretzky. Don Cherry addressed the controversy on his show Grapevine, where he discussed the issue with his brother, Tim Cherry. During the conversation, Tim shared his thoughts on the situation at the 9:40 mark, offering his perspective on why fans reacted so strongly to Gretzky’s actions.
“The American players are probably banging their boards too, saying hey and he talked to the team before, like he talked to. The Canadian team before in the dressing room, he read the lineup, yeah? So it was Yeah, so like he had talked to the players. It wasn't like he snubbed them. He had talked to the players, gave them a little pep talk before the game” Tim said.

Don Cherry emphasized that the issue is more about Trump than Gretzky. "It's not Gretzky. They're mad at Trump... He did give the thumbs up, but he would’ve given the thumbs up to the player, to the Canadian players too." However fans have criticized Wayne Gretzky, leading to a petition to rename "Wayne Gretzky Drive.”
Trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada worsened the Gretzky controversy, as Donald Trump’s tariffs and his endorsement of Gretzky as a potential leader if Canada joined the U.S. fueled Canadian frustration.
Despite the off-ice drama, the 4 Nations Face-Off final was an intense match. Team Canada ultimately secured a 3-2 overtime victory against the United States, giving Canadian fans something to celebrate after the controversy surrounding Gretzky.
Also Read: Anaheim Ducks' Trevor Zegras suspended for 3 games without pay for interference on Detroit Red Wings' Michael Rasmussen
Despite backlash, Don Cherry and Bobby Orr defended Wayne Gretzky, urging focus on his hockey legacy over politics. The controversy underscores the growing intersection of sports and political scrutiny.