Critiques of Gretzky’s ties to Trump hasn’t shaken superfan’s support, memorabilia market
Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky might be in the penalty box in the minds of many Canadians right now, but one Alberta-based superfan says his admiration for the Great One remains intact.
“Wayne is still Wayne,” said Shawn Chaulk in an interview Friday. “He’s an icon [and] people should continue to see him as such. Who cares what his political beliefs are?
“Focus on all the good he’s done for the game.”
Chaulk lives in Fort McMurray, Alta., about 430 kilometres northeast of Edmonton, and owns a massive collection of Gretzky game-used sticks and jerseys, rookie cards and photographs. He even sports a tattoo of the NHL’s all-time points, assists and goals leader.
Gretzky has drawn the ire of hockey fans and non-hockey fans alike for his public support of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has dismissed Canada as a thankless, self-interested dependency that deserves to be its 51 state.
Trump is also threatening to punish Canada with steep tariffs starting next week, saying Canada enjoys an unfair trade advantage and is not doing enough to stop cross-border drug traffic.
In Edmonton, the site of Gretzky’s hockey glory days, one resident has started a petition to rename the Wayne Gretzky Drive freeway. As of Friday, the petition has garnered over 11,000 signatures.
In Calgary, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith answered questions from reporters on the controversy.
She acknowledged “The Great One” might be hitting a post or two in his post-playing years, especially by not wearing a Team Canada jersey when he recently served as honorary captain for Canada at the recent Four Nations Face-Off.
But that shouldn’t diminish his on-ice legacy, especially in Edmonton, she said.
“I love The Great One, and I think it’s unfortunate,” she said.
“The social media sphere can get a little bit mean, but I don’t think it detracts from his legacy at all.”
Gretzky’s ties to Alberta and Edmonton are deep. In the 1980s, he led the Edmonton Oilers to four of their five Stanley Cups before being sent to the Los Angeles Kings in a trade that shocked the hockey world.
He and wife Janet were married in Edmonton, and there is a life-sized statue of Gretzky hoisting the Stanley Cup outside the Oilers’ downtown arena.
Gretzky attended an election victory party for Trump in November and was seen sporting a Make America Great Again hat. He and Janet also attended Trump’s inauguration in January.
U.S. President Donald Trump came to Wayne Gretzky’s defence after the Canadian hockey legend came under fire for his association with Trump, who continues to threaten annexing Canada to make it “the 51st state.” Andrew Chang breaks down the fallout from Gretzky’s appearance at the NHL’s recent 4 Nations tournament that led to Trump’s show of support. (Additional credits: 3:38: Bloomberg Quicktake/YouTube; 3:39: C-SPAN)
Trump, as well as fellow hockey legend Bobby Orr, have vouched for Gretzky’s Canadian-ness, with both calling him one of “the greatest” Canadians in history. His wife Janet has posted on social media that the rebukes have “broken his heart.”
Gretzky retired in 1999 but his image lives on in the sports card and memorabilia business.
Jack Jensen, owner of a long-running memorabilia and collectible store called West Edmonton Coin and Stamp, said the controversy has not affected sales one way or the other.
“The demand hasn’t changed a lot,” he said.
Jensen said Gretzky memorabilia hasn’t flown off the shelves for many years as the new generation of hockey fans focus on scoring stuff from today’s superstars, like Connor McDavid or Connor Bedard.
“Gretzky stuff is not that saleable,” Jensen said. “It’s collectible, but not that saleable at this point.”
At Jensen’s shop, near-mint condition Gretzky cards from the early 1980s are priced at $450. A signed plaque and picture marking the time Gretzky, as a Los Angeles King, broke Gordie Howe’s record for all-time point leader is marked at $600.
Jensen said prices, especially for the more collectible items like game-worn equipment, likely won’t ever dip in value regardless of Gretzky’s off-ice performances.
“People are frustrated right now and think he’s a traitor,” Jensen said.
“But I think he’ll have longevity once people get past this speed bump that they’re frustrated with him.”
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