The intersection of professional sports and North American diplomacy has reached a new inflection point as former NHL star P.K. Subban publicly defended hockey icon Wayne Gretzky against criticism regarding his association with U.S. President Donald Trump. The discourse follows Gretzky’s high-profile attendance at the January 2025 inauguration and subsequent public appearances with administration officials, including FBI Director Kash Patel.

The relationship between “The Great One” and the U.S. executive branch became a focal point of international interest in late 2024, when President Trump used rhetorical flourishes to suggest Canada’s integration as a “51st state,” jokingly proposing Gretzky as its potential governor. While the President later moderated his stance, characterizing Gretzky as a “free agent,” the exchange sparked significant friction between Washington and Ottawa, which has since bled into the sporting arena.

In an interview with the Toronto Sun, Subban, now an executive producer for the documentary series Rivals: The 4 Nations Face-Off, dismissed detractors who questioned Gretzky’s loyalty to his native Canada. Subban emphasized Gretzky’s extensive historical contributions to the sport and the national team as the primary basis for his autonomy. “Wayne’s paid his dues,” Subban stated, arguing that critics lack the “credibility” to challenge the personal and political decisions of a figure who has spent decades representing both the league and the country on the global stage.

Beyond the personal defense of Gretzky, Subban noted that the heightened geopolitical tensions have had a measurable impact on the sports sector. The friction between the two nations served as a catalyst for the 4 Nations Face-Off in 2025, driving viewership and fan engagement to unprecedented levels. Subban suggested that the involvement of world leaders, even through controversial rhetoric, altered the “trajectory of the game,” transforming a standard tournament into a high-stakes diplomatic theater.

This intensified rivalry is expected to carry over into the upcoming Winter Olympics. Analysts suggest that the politicization of these matchups has increased the commercial viability of international hockey, though it remains to be seen how this “sensitive time” in North American relations will affect long-term athletic cooperation.

For further analysis on how regional disputes affect global stability, read: Political Tensions Escalate Amidst Utah Redistricting Disputes and International Diplomatic Deadlines