On Sportsnet’s Saturday Headlines, Wayne Gretzky addressed a report that he was blocked from reading Team Canada’s lineup before the gold medal game.
At the 2026 Winter Olympics, both Canadian teams finished with silver. The men lost 2-1 in overtime to the United States on Feb. 22. Cale Makar tied the game in the second period. Jack Hughes scored 1:41 into overtime to win it.
Elliotte Friedman said Gretzky reached out because he wanted the story to end. According to Friedman, Gretzky said Hockey Canada treated him and his family well during the week. However, Friedman explained there was a misunderstanding before the final when an IOC security staff member did not recognize him at ice level.
“A story whether he was blocked by Hockey Canada to read the lineup before the gold medal game, he reached out,” Friedman said. [Time: 5:48] “And, I think he just wants to put this to bed, I don’t think he wants the story to continue, he said he was treated very well by Hockey Canada this week by him and his family.
“But what he did say was there was some kind of misunderstanding before the gold medal game, he went down to ice level, and an IOC security person didn’t recognize Wayne Gretzky and told him he couldn’t be there, so he just left.”
Gretzky chose to leave rather than make it an issue during a tense moment.
“But I think, obviously, sensitive time, he didn’t want Hockey Canada to be taking any heat that they didn’t deserve to take,” Friedman said.
Connor McDavid led the tournament with 13 points and earned MVP honors. Jordan Binnington made 41 saves in the final as Canada faced heavy pressure. It marked the first time since 2014 that NHL players competed at the Games. Canada went unbeaten before the gold medal game.
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The women also fell 2-1 in overtime to the United States on Feb. 19. Hilary Knight tied the game late in the third period. Megan Keller scored 4:07 into three-on-three overtime. Canada had led 1-0 for much of the night.
Also read: Wayne Gretzky’s Message After Canada’s Loss to USA in Olympics
Marie-Philip Poulin set the Olympic career goals record in the semifinal against Switzerland. Ann-Renée Desbiens and Emerance Maschmeyer combined for 28 saves in the final.
So, Canada left Italy with two silver medals after two tight losses to its rival – the United States.