Donald Trump Confuses Capitals’ Ovechkin for Canadian During Gretzky Praise: What Really Happened

When it comes to Donald Trump and hockey, things can get a little… fuzzy. Especially when he starts mixing up players, countries, and compliments all in the same sentence. Recently, during a chat at the White House with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Trump stirred up confusion by seemingly thinking Russian hockey star Alexander Ovechkin was from Canada.

Yep, the Washington Capitals’ superstar. The one born in Moscow. That guy.

Let’s unpack what actually happened, and why this moment got everyone talking.

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The Comment That Got Everyone Scratching Their Heads

During the White House meeting, Trump took a moment to gush about hockey greatness. He praised Canadian legend Wayne Gretzky, calling him “The Great One” and giving a nod to Canada’s strong hockey roots. So far, so good.

But then, things got a little tangled. Trump said,

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“You happen to have a very, very good hockey player right here on the Capitals who I have a lot [of respect for], he is a big, tough cookie too. Just broke the record.”

He didn’t mention Ovechkin by name, but it was clear who he meant. Ovechkin recently broke some big-time records and has been the face of the Capitals for over a decade. But in the context of talking about Canada, it sounded like Trump was lumping Ovechkin in with the Canadians.

Cue the raised eyebrows.

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Is Ovechkin Canadian? A Quick Reality Check

Nope. Not even close.

Alexander Ovechkin was born in Moscow, Russia, and plays for the Russian national team. While he’s been with the Washington Capitals since 2005 and has built a strong career in the U.S., his roots are fully Russian.

This wasn’t the first time Trump and Ovechkin have crossed paths either. After the Capitals won the Stanley Cup in 2018, the team visited the White House, and Trump praised Ovechkin during the event. So, he definitely knows who the guy is. That makes the mix-up even more puzzling.

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To be fair, Trump knows his way around hockey legends—especially Wayne Gretzky. The former NHL superstar, now 64, has shown public support for Trump in the past. There’s even a photo of him wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat, which made the rounds on social media.

But it goes deeper than that. Gretzky’s son-in-law is professional golfer Dustin Johnson, a LIV Golf standout, which puts him in Trump’s inner circle more than you’d expect from a Canadian sports icon.

Earlier this year, Trump praised Gretzky on Truth Social, calling him:

“A fantastic guy… The Great One… He could run for any political office in Canada and win.”

That comment got people talking too, especially when Trump added that Gretzky “wants Canada to remain independent,” a nod to a long-running joke about Canada-U.S. relations.

So, Was It Just a Slip-Up?

Probably.

Trump has a history of off-the-cuff comments that sometimes wander into confusing territory. It’s likely he meant to say something like, “Canada has great hockey players, and so do we—like Ovechkin here in D.C.” But the way it came out? It sounded like he was claiming Ovechkin as Canadian.

Considering he’s praised Ovechkin personally in the past, it might have just been a verbal stumble. Still, it’s not the kind of thing that goes unnoticed, especially in today’s social media world.

Why This Moment Went Viral

Moments like this blow up online for a reason. People love a good mix-up, especially when it involves high-profile leaders and superstar athletes.

Hockey fans were quick to point out the mistake. Some laughed it off. Others questioned how Trump could forget something so basic. Either way, it became a talking point—especially for those who enjoy poking fun at Trump’s freestyle way of speaking.