ELMONT, NEW YORK - APRIL 06: (L-R) Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals poses with wife Anastasia Shubskaya, former NHL player Wayne Gretzky, and Gretsky's wife Janet Jones after scoring his 895th career goal during the second period against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena on April 06, 2025 in Elmont, New York. Ovechkin's goal passes Gretzky's 894 goals to become the NHL all-time goal-scoring leader. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Former NHL player P.K. Subban has defended hockey great and TV analyst Wayne Gretzky for his relationship with controversial President Donald Trump.
Gretzky was seen at Trump’s inauguration in January 2025, when he teased the possibility of naming Canada the “51st state” with Gretzky as governor. This caused tension between the two countries, and later, Trump backed off, saying Gretzky is a “free agent.”
Gretzky was also seen at a Washington Capitals game with FBI Director Kash Patel.
Subban came to the defense of “The Great One” when he was interviewed by the Toronto Sun, saying, “I’d like to know what they’ve contributed to the country and what they’ve contributed to the game of hockey,” he continued, “we’re in an opinion-based world; everyone has an opinion, and that’s great. But my job isn’t to listen to everyone’s opinion … Wayne’s paid his dues.”
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“He’s been in the trenches. He went to Nagano. He’s put together Hockey Canada. He’s played for Hockey Canada. He’s represented the country. He’s represented the league. He’s done it all. I’m sorry for people who feel (he betrayed Canada). So I would say this, ‘You have zero credibility to comment on Wayne Gretzky and the decisions he makes,’” Subban told the Toronto Sun.
Subban attributes some of the Four Nations Tournament’s success to Trump’s comments about Canada, which sparked a fierce rivalry between the U.S. and Canada.
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