Hockey Canada says Wayne Gretzky locker-room claim is 'not true' in official post

A report from former NHLer Mike Commodore claimed that Wayne Gretzky had been kept by Hockey Canada from being able to appear in the dressing room ahead of Canada's men's gold medal match at the 2026 Olympics, a claim Hockey Canada is pushing back on.

Hockey Canada took to social media to deny claims being made about Gretzky after former NHLer and podcast host Ryan Whitney called for resignations, their response saying that the report was inaccurate.

This follows insider Chris Johnston, who also disputed the claims via sources with knowledge of the situation.

The claim had gone viral on social media over Gretzky not being able to visit the Canadians before the final game, with the claim that Gretzky wanted to "pump up" the players prior to the game.

Gretzky has been embroiled in criticisms over a personal relationship to U.S. President Donald Trump who has repeatedly discussed through his repeat use of tariffs an "economic annexation" of Canada, statements that have brought scrutiny to Gretzky for his continued ties to Trump.

Speaking prior to the gold medal game, Gretzky called himself a "proud Canadian", while promoting the idea of Canada and the United States still being "like brothers and sisters" despite as he says there being "more tension than normal".

Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Marie-Philip Poulin receives formal apology from Olympic Committee following speech controversy