NHL legend Wayne Gretzky has recently been accused of not being truly Canadian, and he responded to that backlash, saying he knows in his heart he is. One thing Wayne Gretzky wants to make absolutely clear: He never intended to offend anybody. Speaking recently with Daren Millard and John Shannon on the '100% Hockey' podcast, the <a href='https://ottawacitizen.com/sports/hockey/nhl/wayne-gretzky-opens-up-about-anti-canadian-criticism' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>hockey legend spoke to the recent backlash he faced among Canadians</a> early this year. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/SunGarrioch/status/1988655574515609948'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> <h3>What caused fans to turn on Wayne Gretzky</h3> It all started with a controversy when Gretzky was announced as the honorary captain of Team Canada before <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl/news/oilers-legend-wayne-gretzky-surprises-connor-mcdavid-and-team-canada-with-a-gift' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>the final 4 Nations Face-Off game</a> at TD Garden, Boston. Some fans were disheartened when they saw that he wasn't wearing a Canadian jersey and walked past the American bench as opposed to the Canadian one during the announcement ceremony. Gretzky has also been criticized for the numerous amounts of trips he takes to Washington, D.C. with his wife Janet. Contrary to the criticism, Gretzky has disclosed that many people have reached out to him expressing their support. <h3>Why Wayne Gretzky says the criticism is not warranted</h3> He is 64, and he is one of the most respected voices in the world of ice hockey. He has never wavered regarding his love for his country or ice hockey. People are going to say and believe what they want. The bottom line is, I know in my heart I'm Canadian, I've stayed Canadian and I'm a Canadian for life. - Wayne Gretzky Ultimately, the message that Gretzky wanted to get out is simple: he respects the game and its fans, and he wants the focus to go back to what is really important, celebrating the game of hockey and the pride that comes with it for all fans around the world.