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.

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.