VideoLeadership & Policy
Wayne Gretzky backs Mark Carney's move to keep Russia's junior hockey team out
Ottawa's decision to keep Russia's junior team out of the World Juniors now has backing from Wayne Gretzky, whose close ties to Donald Trump make the endorsement notable.
Summary
Wayne Gretzky, the Canadian most closely tied to Donald Trump, has publicly backed Prime Minister Mark Carney's decision to keep Russia's junior hockey team out of Canada. Asked in Toronto on Friday, he said he understood the stance and answered, "Good for him."
The video traces the friendship and the backlash: a Make America Great Again hat on election night, Trump's "governor of Canada" remark, and boos in Boston at the February 2025 Four Nations final. Gretzky had stayed publicly quiet for about 20 months. The video also recalls his 2025 reaction to Alex Ovechkin tying his goal record, when he said "So good for Alex."
On the policy side, the Court of Arbitration for Sport ordered Russia reinstated to international hockey on October 30. Ottawa responded that it would use its immigration powers to keep Russian and Belarusian athletes out when they compete under national symbols. The video presents this as a middle power using its own border, and says Gretzky's family roots in Belarus and Ukraine give his words extra weight.
Key points
- Wayne Gretzky said in Toronto on Friday that he understood Mark Carney's stance on Russia and said, "good for him."
- The Court of Arbitration for Sport ordered Russia reinstated to international hockey on October 30.
- Canada is the first government to say Moscow's team won't get in.
- The World Juniors open December 26 in Edmonton and Red Deer, with 10 teams and no Russia.
- Gretzky was booed as honorary captain at the 4 Nations final in Boston on Feb 20, 2025.
- On April 4, 2025, Ovechkin tied Gretzky's 894-goal record, with Gretzky in attendance.
Questions answered
Why did Wayne Gretzky praise Mark Carney's decision on Russia?
In Toronto on Friday, Gretzky said he understood the prime minister's stance on Russia's junior hockey team and said "good for him." He added that nobody likes war, that he hopes it ends, and that he believes many players and Canadians feel the same way.
Why is Russia's junior hockey team being kept out of the World Juniors?
The Court of Arbitration for Sport ordered Russia reinstated to international hockey on October 30. Carney said Russia's team will not be at the World Juniors. Ottawa also said it would use immigration powers to keep Russian and Belarusian athletes out when they compete under national symbols.
Why was Wayne Gretzky booed in Boston?
Some fans booed Gretzky, who was Canada's honorary captain at the Four Nations final in Boston on February 20, 2025. He wore a suit and tie, while the American honorary captain wore his country's jersey. Canada won in overtime.
Prepared by the CanadaNext Editor with AI assistance from public reporting and CanadaNext's own videos. Sources are linked. How we work