Not long ago some Canadians were in arms on the ties of the Wayne Gretzky hockey legend with the administration of the president of the United States, Donald Trump.
But as Edmonton Oilers open their way through the Stanley Cup final, hockey fans say it is time to let the past be passed.
“I don’t think matters,” said Craig Hist, a fan of the Oilers for a long time, while posing on Wednesday for a photo with a Gretzky statue outside Rogers Place in Edmonton before game 1.
“Let’s forget about the past. What he did here was a lot for the city, a lot for hockey.”
The Gretzky statue was shattered in March and stained with what seemed to be and smelled strongly to feces. On Wednesday, a metal fence at hip height was around the bronze figure.
An online petition began in February asking for a new name for Wayne Gretzky Drive also has about 14,000 signatures.
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Gretzky, the hockey star born in Ontario that led the Oilers to four victories of the Stanley Cup in the 1980s, recently attracted the anger of the Canadians for their public support to Trump, who has repeatedly expressed his desire for Canada to join the United States and become his state 51.
The Great was photographed with Trump several times in the Mar-A-Lago Resort of the President in Florida. In January, Gretzky and his wife, Janet, attended Trump’s inauguration in Washington.
The frustrations grew after he appeared as an honorary captain for Canada in the final of 4 nations confrontation with the United States. The video images showed him that he gave the American team a thumb up while walking towards the ice.
Gretzky also congratulated the players of Dallas Stars in their wardrobe last month, after they advanced to the final of the West Conference.
The Oilers eliminated the stars in five games and now have a victory against the Florida Panthers in the Cup final. Game 2 is Friday night.
‘We love him’
Brian Foulken, who became a fan during the era of Gretzky and collects the Oilers merchandise, said the achievements of Gretzky, including multiple score records that are until today, they still resonate with people.
As for criticism, Foulken said people will have their own opinions.
“At the end of the day, [Gretzky] Played here for a long time. The staunch oilers [fans]We love him, “he said outside the sand before game 1.
“He is an incredible player.”
Foulken added that the current Oilers captain, Connor McDavid, approaches greatness at Gretzky level.
Darren Rogers, a Gretzky fan since the beginning of the Oilers in the NHL in 1979, said that Gretzky’s leadership led the team to win multiple Stanley glasses.
Leaving politics aside, that achievement should matter more to people in the great scheme of things, Rogers said.
Gretzky was in Edmonton for Wednesday’s game.
Pink Pony Bandwagon
And as historical as Gretzky is for the Oilers franchise, it seemed to be reaching the fan base of this new generation. In an American sports network, he sat along with the commentators, while arguing the new tradition of the pop -play oilers Pink Pony Club.
The players have received tight lips about the importance of Chappell Roan’s blow, usually heard after the team plays The bamba For the wolves after a victory.
“Pink pony -Is it a band or is it a song?
“[Roan] Sing a song, ‘Pink Pony Club’, and it’s famous. It is on the radio, “Bissonnette replied.
“It’s the new generation, Wayne,” he added.
Gretzky seemed disappointed to know what Ran is not Canadian, but he still seemed eager to see the song.
“I have to get that [as] My calling tone, “said Gretzky.
