TORONTO (Feb. 24) — Whenever my time comes, I will take with me two remarkable badges of honor: I got to know Bobby Orr and Wayne Gretzky by name. Not bad for a small media muffin in a large bakery. They are the greatest hockey players of my life; perhaps anyone’s. My prime Gretzky memory occurred in a building across from the E Center: the Salt Lake City arena in which hockey was played during the 2002 Winter Olympics. Which I covered as a reporter for The FAN–590, our country’s first all–sports radio station. Gretzky had put together the club in search of Canada’s first hockey gold medal since 1952, in Oslo, Norway. When the team struggled early in the tournament and the Canadian media panicked, Gretzky made an impassioned speech on behalf of the beleaguered players. It was Wayne as we’d rarely seen him: legitimately perturbed… and letting the nation know.

Afterward, I was standing in a banquet hall full of hockey people. From behind me, I heard “well, what did you think, Howard?” Turning around, I was astonished to see No. 99 offering the query. Of course, I knew what he was referring to and I told him it must have been cathartic to release that pent–up emotion. As nearly always, in hockey, Wayne ultimately pevailed; Canada (with the big Irishman, Pat Quinn, behind the bench) knocking off the host Americans for the long–coveted men’s championship. Clearly, I was in the right place at the right time; otherwise Gretzky would not have sought my opinion. I was no factor, at all, to No. 99 during my 23 years in radio.

Wayne could be difficult, too. I ran into him again later that night in the banquet hall and asked if I could get five minutes of time for a taped interview. Being a non–rightsholder, I didn’t have access to the players, coaches or executives in the arena. The hall was a neutral location and open to all media. “Let’s talk tomorrow, after practice,” Gretzky said. Which was perfectly fine by me. The next day, I watched Canada skate at the E Center then went outside near the players’ entrance of the parking lot. After quite some time, Gretzky emerged. With a smile, I showed him my microphone. “Aw, no, no, not today, Howard,” he said. To which I replied, “C’mon, Wayne, I can’t bring this stuff into the arena and I’ve been standing out here in the cold for 45 minutes. Can I at least walk with you?” He okayed that idea and I got three intriguing minutes out of him, as do most reporters with whom Wayne cooperates. It was the day after his emotional press conference and he was still the news of the men’s hockey tournament. The guy with the lousy media credential came up with a one–on–one. So, the bosses were happy.

My Orr moment, among several, was also happenstance.

In the final weeks of my radio career (May 2011), I was assigned to cover a charity golf tournament co–hosted by Orr and Canadian music legend Anne Murray. They had been among our country’s flag–bearers, a year earlier, for the Opening Ceremony of the Vancouver Winter Olympics. At one point, I found myself at a table in the golf–club lounge with No. 4… and no one else in the room. For more than 20 minutes, I shot the breeze with the most–dominant professional athlete of my life. It was hardly the first time I’d spoken to Orr, but never in such a circumstance. Earlier in the hockey season, I was watching a Leafs morning skate from the corner glass at Air Canada Centre when I heard someone yell, “hey Bergerrrr!” I turned to my left and saw Orr, sitting with Don Cherry halfway up in the Golds, flashing the smile that Canadians had grown so accustomed to. Bobby has always treated me well.

WAYNE GRETZKY, BOBBY ORR AND MARIO LEMIEUX. PERHAPS THE THREE GREATEST HOCKEY PLAYERS OF ALL TIME.

The reason I tell these stories should be obvious to hockey fans. Arguably the two most–famous athletes in Canadian history have taken a pounding in their home land for cozying up to U.S. president Donald Trump. Which, of course, is entirely their privelege. The forefathers of Canada and the United States fought and died for the right to live and express freely. So, when Orr bought a full–page newspaper ad endorsing Trump prior to the 2020 general election, it should have been accepted. Even begrudgingly. Instead, Bobby was excoriated from coast to coast in his native land. Quite notably, it all happened prior to Trump orchestrating the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol. And, more recently, the presage of “annexing” his autonomous neighbour to the north. As such, Gretzky has been in the Canadian crosshairs for “hanging out” at Mar–a–Lago and remaining conspicuously silent on the “Canada as the 51st state” commotion. Parenthetically, all Canadians should be aware that Trump can overthrow our country any time he wishes. By merely rolling tanks across the border… as did the Nazis to Poland in 1939. We won’t stand a chance. If, in fact, Trump is another Hitler, all of Hell’s fury will soon rain upon us.

So, this is slightly more than white noise. Or, a veiled threat.

Orr, from Parry Sound, and Gretzky, from Brantford, are prominent natives of Canada who have adopted the United States as their home country. The unparalleled defenseman kept a residence in Boston and purchased another in Florida, where he spends much of the winter. Gretzky moved to Los Angeles (in August 1988) when traded by the Edmonton Oilers and has long–been a proud Californian. His son–in–law is pro golfer Dustin Johnson, a former World No. 1 who captured the 2016 U.S. Open. Wayne lives vicariously through him. He now comes “home” for visits (both his parents are deceased) or sponsored events. He’s a full–fledged southerner.

Still, we consider him our Wayne Gretzky and yearn for his voice when an autocrat becomes a menace. If the other way around, I can guarantee that no demigod athlete south of the border would stand for such nonsense without speaking up. Loudly. Patriotism is part of the American fabric. That’s why No. 99’s silence on the issue impacting Canadians has been deafening. Not that a statement from Gretzky would be uncomplicated. If he values his friendship with Trump, he would know to never publicly criticize the president… on any matter. No person alive has thinner skin than the Donald. Or, can turn so quickly and virulently against a former ally. So, I’m not sure what Gretzky can say to assuage damaged hearts north of the 49th. Maybe that’s why he has chosen to say nothing.

In a perfect world, our sports heroes would stand clear of politics. But, they do not. As observers, we have no business imposing our views upon them. But, we can be disappointed. As many Canadians were when Orr blatantly endorsed Trump; then chose to remain silent after the Capitol riot. We feel the same, today, with Gretzky unprepared to ruffle Trump’s feathers. I sense we are more hurt than angered. Which is very much our privilege.

EMAIL: HOWARDLBERGER@GMAIL.COM