While Wayne Gretzky remains universally revered as "The Great One" and a foundational national icon in Canadian sports history for his unmatched records and legendary international performances, some Canadian fans experienced friction or public criticism toward him in later years due to specific political commentary, business partnerships, and his residency choices. For instance, public backlash occasionally surfaces when he makes polarizing political endorsements or comments that diverge from popular Canadian sentiments, or when he chooses to live predominantly in the United States. Despite these occasional controversies and debates among sports talk radio callers, his legacy as the greatest hockey player of all time remains fundamentally secure across the country.