President Trump and Bobby Orr have also come to the public defense of Gretzky, whose support for Trump and appearance at a Canada-U.S. game upset some of his countrymen.

Canadian hockey legend Wayne Gretzky is facing backlash at home over his support for U.S. President Donald Trump, who has threatened to use economic force to make Canada the 51st state.

Team Canada's Mike Bossy, left, Wayne Gretzky and Larry Robinson carry the Canada Cup trophy after beating Sweden 6-5 in Edmonton on Sept. 18, 1984. Gretzky used to stand for only one thing – Canada. He hasn’t for a long time. The Canadian Press

After previously referring to Wayne Gretzky as the “governor of Canada,” President Donald Trump has declared the NHL legend a “free agent.”

The USA's 4 Nations final defeat to Canada was marred by a number of flashpoints, with Donald Trump - who was in attendance at the TD Garden - taking aim at Wayne Gretzky

For the Americans it was Michael Anthony Eruzione, best known as captain of the 1980 Winter Olympics U.S. national team that defeated the Soviet Union in the famous “Miracle on Ice” game, in which he scored the game-winning goal.

Canadian hockey star Wayne Gretzky is facing backlash at home over his support for US President Donald Trump, who has threatened to make Canada the 51st state.