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.

The mounting criticism over Wayne Gretzky and his ties to President Donald Trump amid political tension between the U.S. and Gretzky’s native Canada has “broken” The Great One’s heart.

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