'Forget about the past': Fans weigh in on criticism of Wayne Gretzky over Trump ties
It wasn't long ago that some Canadians were up in arms about hockey legend Wayne Gretzky's ties to U.S. President Donald Trump's administration.
Article content
But as the Edmonton Oilers skate their way through the Stanley Cup Final, hockey fans say it's time to let bygones be bygones.
Article content
'I don't think it matters,' said Craig Hiscock, a longtime Oilers fan, as he posed Wednesday for a photo with a statue of Gretzky outside Rogers Place in Edmonton ahead of Game 1.
Article content
Article content
'Let's forget about the past. What he did here was a lot for the city, a lot for hockey.'
Article content
The statue was vandalized in March and smeared with what appeared to be and strongly smelled like feces. On Wednesday, a hip-high metal fence was up around the bronze figure.
Article content
An online petition started in February calling for a new name for Wayne Gretzky Drive also has about 14,000 signatures.
Article content
Gretzky, the Ontario-born hockey star who led the Oilers to four Stanley Cup victories in the 1980s, recently drew the ire of Canadians for his public support of Trump, who has repeatedly expressed his desire for Canada to join the U.S and become its 51st state.
Article content
The Great One was photographed with Trump several times at the president's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. In January, Gretzky and his wife, Janet, attended Trump's inauguration in Washington.
Article content
Frustrations grew after he appeared as honorary captain for Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off final with the United States. Video footage showed him giving the U.S. team a thumbs-up as he walked to the ice.
Article content
Article content
Gretzky also congratulated Dallas Stars players in their locker room last month, after they advanced to the Western Conference final.
Article content
Article content
The Oilers eliminated the Stars in five games and now have one win against the Florida Panthers in the Cup final. Game 2 is Friday night.
Article content
Brian Foulken, who became a fan during the Gretzky era and collects Oilers merchandise, said Gretzky's accomplishments, including multiple scoring records that stand to this day, still resonate with people.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Edmonton Journal
24 minutes ago
- Edmonton Journal
'McDavid ain't doin' anything right now': Iconic U.S. sports host rips Oilers superstar
Article content Fellow commentator P.K. Subban played down McDavid's poor play in the game, noting that it's easy to point the fingers at the superstars like McDavid and Leon Draisaitl but the entire Oilers team was dominated from top to bottom. Smith was having none of that. 'Let me tell you why I have a problem with what you're saying,' he said to Subban. ' Connor McDavid, 13 shots, no goals. Zero? Nothing in the Stanley Cup? And oh, by the way, this is the three time league M.V.P. No champion. He may be the greatest who has never won. These are the kinds of things you were talking about him from last year. So here we are again. Same opponent, same situation, same problem. When do you get to hold a superstar accountable tha not under these conditions?' Smith also blasted the Oilers rough stuff at the end of the game as them being 'sore losers because you're getting your ass kicked… They were seem worse than they were last year.'
CBC
26 minutes ago
- CBC
First Nations opposition continues after passing of Ontario's Bill 5
Many First Nations people in Ontario are continuing protests following the passing of Bill 5 in Ontario last week. Bill 5, the Protecting Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, allows the province to create special economic zones, where companies or projects can be exempted from having to comply with a provincial law, provincial regulation or municipal bylaw. Shem Mattinas, from Moose Cree First Nation on James Bay, was one of the organizers of a protest in Timmins, Ont., last Friday. "This will affect all of us; it threatens our land, our water, and our democratic rights," he said. "This isn't only a First Nations issue; it's an Ontario issue." The premier has said one of those special economic zones will be the mineral-rich Ring of Fire region on Treaty 9 territory in northwestern Ontario. "Attawapiskat River is right in the middle of the Ring of Fire. The First Nations along that river will be deeply affected by poisons and chemicals if this kind of development goes forward unchecked," Mattinas said. Mattinas said it was important for him to organize a protest because he's always heard "when youth speak, that's when people listen." The province has said the law is aimed at speeding up major infrastructure and resource projects. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Friday he intends to designate the Ring of Fire as a special economic zone "as quickly as possible." He added he and several ministers will consult all summer with First Nations about the new law before making the designation. People also continue to rally at the provincial legislature at Queen's Park in Toronto. Myka Burning from Six Nations of the Grand River said she will be one of the people maintaining a presence there. She said those gathered are calling on Indigenous nations across the country to support them, not just Ontario, because of the law's widespread environmental implications but also because she believes it sets a precedent. "I feel like there has been consistent voicing of opposition as it's been coming down like the pipes and that's just not being respected," she said. Concern for caribou Bill 5 also scraps Ontario's Endangered Species Act and replaces it with a new law called the Species Conservation Act, which critics say waters down protections. Jennifer Franks, the director of Indigenous Relations at the Toronto Zoo, said there was "resounding disappointment" around the passing of Bill 5 with the zoo's Indigenous advisory circle. Franks, who is Red River Métis from Birch Hills, Sask., said the zoo's mission is to "connect people, animals, traditional knowledge and conservation science to fight extinction," like the zoo's caribou biobanking project in the Hudson Bay region, where they help collect samples from hunted caribou for genetic preservation. Caribou are traditionally hunted by the Cree and Anishinaabe who live in the Ring of Fire area. In Ontario, caribou is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Habitat loss and human activities are among the threats to the province's caribou. Toronto Zoo CEO Dolf Dejong, who spoke out against the bill at a committee hearing at Queens Park in May, said he wasn't surprised the bill passed despite opposition and said he's concerned special economic zones could be designated anywhere, effectively undoing decades of work in conservation. "They've been very clear that they intended to move quickly," he said.
CBC
27 minutes ago
- CBC
'Another historical event,' Tłı̨chǫ grand chief says of new female chief in Behchokǫ
Tłı̨chǫ leaders say residents have opted for change after Bertha Rabesca-Zoe was voted to replace longtime chief Clifford Daniels to lead Behchokǫ̀, N.W.T., after Monday's election. Tłı̨chǫ Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty and Chief-elect Rabesca-Zoe say it's the first time a woman will lead the community. "I think being the first female chief has a lot of significance for many people, especially our young ladies," Rabesca-Zoe said. "With education and determination and commitment, you can achieve whatever goals you set for yourself." Rabesca-Zoe will become the third female chief out of four Tłı̨chǫ communities, joining Wekweètı̀ Chief Adeline Football and Gamètı̀ Chief Doreen Arrowmaker. Rabesca-Zoe described Behchokǫ̀ as a predominantly Catholic community and said she thinks some still carry the belief that women shouldn't lead but Monday's election shows a push for new direction. "I think people just generally were ready for change," she said. Lafferty also pointed to the fact that many of the new councillors are young, something that he said also signifies the public's want for fresh ideas for the region. Lafferty recognized outgoing Behchokǫ̀ chief Clifford Daniels, who served for 16 years, and outgoing Whatı̀ chief Alfonz Nitsiza. He said he's looking forward to working with all of the new and returning leaders. "It's another historical event," he said. "Things are changing with us." For Rabesca-Zoe, the first order of business will be to meet with council to set priorities. She said she's keen to get to work on tackling the housing and drug crises in her community. She says she's considering a 24-hour blockade to stop the flow of drugs into Behchokǫ̀ and will look forward to hearing other ideas on how best to serve the community.
