The sensational claim circulating online—that hockey legend Wayne Gretzky and his wife Janet Jones Gretzky declared “We are only respected in the USA” and vowed to “move to the USA and never return to Canada so as not to breathe the same air as ‘those stupid patriots'”—appears to be a fabricated rumor spreading primarily through unverified Facebook posts and pages like “Hockey Culture Hub” and similar low-credibility accounts.
No reputable news outlets, interviews, or statements from Gretzky or his wife support this quote. In fact, recent coverage from sources including CBC, The Star, Yahoo Sports, The Athletic, and Global News shows Gretzky repeatedly affirming his Canadian identity amid political tensions between Canada and the U.S.
In February 2026, during the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, Gretzky appeared on CBC broadcasts and addressed questions about his friendship with U.S. President Donald Trump and the resulting backlash in Canada.
He emphasized:
“I’m a hockey player. I’m a Canadian, a true Canadian. I want Canada to win a gold medal. I’ve never wavered from that.”
He described Canada and the U.S. as “like brothers and sisters” who “fight and argue” but “eventually come together,” while insisting he’s “a Canadian for life” and not deeply involved in politics.
Janet Gretzky has defended her husband publicly, sharing (in a now-deleted Instagram post referenced in reports) that criticism over his Trump ties had “broken his heart,” adding: “I have never met anyone who is more proud to be a Canadian.”
Gretzky, who has lived in the U.S. for decades (primarily in California and later other states) without becoming a U.S. citizen, has faced criticism in Canada—especially over Trump’s tariff threats and “51st state” comments about Canada. Some fans and commentators labeled him disloyal for not strongly condemning those remarks or for attending Trump’s inauguration. However, Gretzky has consistently pushed back, saying he’s proud of his roots and rooting for Canada in international competitions.
The viral quote seems to stem from misinformation or satire amplified on social media, possibly fueled by ongoing frustrations over U.S.-Canada relations and Gretzky’s neutral-to-friendly stance toward Trump. Similar fake or exaggerated stories have popped up in hockey-related Facebook groups, but they lack any traceable origin to an actual interview, press release, or verified post from the Gretzkys.
In short: This is not legitimate news. Wayne Gretzky has not renounced Canada or made such inflammatory statements. He’s maintained he’s proudly Canadian, even as political cross-border drama has put him in an uncomfortable spotlight.
