Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski | Imagn Images
The rumor mill surrounding Team Canada and the gold medal game went crazy Wednesday, but Hockey Canada insists Wayne Gretzky was never banned from the room.
The internet went wild with reports suggesting the 'Great One' was denied a chance to speak to the boys ahead of the massive gold medal game.
Fans were furious at the mere thought of disrespecting a living legend.
Former defenseman Mike Commodore allegedly fueled the fire on a podcast, claiming Hockey Canada deliberately blocked locker room access.
The story spread like wildfire across every major timeline.
Absolute nonsense.
The entire narrative fell apart upon closer inspection. Former NHLer Ryan Whitney jumped on social media to shut down the manufactured drama and set the record straight for outraged fan base.
Hockey Canada refuted reports that surfaced alleging they denied Wayne Gretzky an opportunity to speak to Team Canada ahead of the gold medal game.
The noise was completely baseless. Insider Chris Johnston confirmed no such request was ever made, and Hockey Canada released their own statement denying the ridiculous claims.
Over his NHL career, Gretzky carried the weight of a nation with unmatched offensive output. He's undeniably hockey royalty.
With 2,857 points in the bank, his voice commands immediate respect inside any locker room across the globe. Players absolutely revere him.
You simply don't lock out a guy with 894 career goals before a gold medal clash. Management knows better than to alienate the ultimate icon of the sport.
The Canadians faced a daunting task against a stacked Team USA roster loaded with top-tier talent. The matchup demanded intense focus and heavy preparation.
Gretzky actually spoke highly of the rivalry during the broadcast. He praised the crisp passing and transition game on both sides.
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