{coyotes} Clayton Keller has goal and 4 assists for career-high 5 points in Utah's 6-1 romp over Wild

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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Clayton Keller had a career-high five points - scoring his 22nd goal and assisting on four others - and the Utah Hockey Club beat the Minnesota Wild 6-1 on Thursday night for its fourth straight home victory.

Nick Schmaltz had a goal and two assists, Barrett Hayton and Logan Cooley each had a goal and an assist, and Dylan Guenther and Sean Durzi also scored. Karel Vejmelka made 15 saves.

Frederick Gaudreau scored for Minnesota, and Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 25 shots.

Hayton opened the scoring on a power play 3:59 into the first period.

Utah added to its lead after gaining a two-man advantage late in the first. Marcus Foligno and Jonas Brodin were both sent to the box for penalties against Schmaltz. Foligno had a double-minor for high-sticking and Brodin was whistled for hooking.

Guenther quickly capitalized, threading the puck between Fleury and the post for his 22nd goal of the season with 30 seconds remaining in the first.

Gaudreau pulled one back for the Wild, snapping the puck in with 3:58 remaining in the second. Durzi countered with a dart from long distance and restored Utah's two-goal lead with 2:10 left in the period.

Schmaltz, Keller and Cooley scored in the third.

Wild: Minnesota has been outscored 12-2 in three losses to Utah this season.

Utah: Guenther has five power-play points in his last six games, including three goals. He leads Utah in power play goals (nine) and is second in power- play points (21).

Durzi's first goal of the season snuffed out a potential rally after Gaudreau put Minnesota on the board.

Utah scored multiple goals on the man-advantage in a single period for just the third time this season.

Minnesota is at Colorado on Friday night. Utah hosts New Jersey on Saturday night.

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Read More :- "{coyotes} Clayton Keller has goal and 4 assists for career-high 5 points in Utah's 6-1 romp over Wild"

{coyotes} Gretzky remains silent as wife Janet joins Trump, Orr in hockey legend's defence

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The wife of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky says it has "broken his heart" to read "mean comments" as he faces intense criticism in Canada.

Janet Gretzky posted on Instagram on Thursday to thank Bobby Orr, another hockey great, for defending Wayne Gretzky amid backlash over his support for U.S. President Donald Trump.

"Thank you Mr. Bobby Orr," Janet Gretzky wrote. "Your words mean the world to Wayne and his family. I have never met anyone who is more proud to be a Canadian and it has broken his heart to read and see the mean comments.

"He would do anything to make Canadians proud, with his love for hockey and his country.

Her post included a photo of a printout of commentary by Orr, which also appeared in a Saturday opinion article for the Toronto Sun. Orr called Gretzky one of 'the greatest Canadians ever' and criticized those attacking him. 

"Listen, we all have our personal beliefs as they pertain to things such as religion and politics," Orr wrote. "Wayne respects your right to such beliefs — why can't you respect his?'"

Janet Gretzky's comments came after Trump called Wayne Gretzky "the greatest Canadian" and highlighted his loyalty to Canada in a Truth Social post Wednesday night.

Trump also stated that he doesn't want Canadians to turn against Gretzky simply because of their friendship.

"Wayne and Janet, his wonderful wife, love Canada, and they should only support Canada, and whatever else makes the Canadian People, and Governor Justin Trudeau, happy," Trump wrote on his official account. "He's the Greatest Canadian of them all, and I am therefore making him a 'free agent,' because I don't want anyone in Canada to say anything bad about him.

"He supports Canada the way it is, as he should, even though it's not nearly as good as it could be as part of the Greatest and Most Powerful Country in the World, the Good Ole' U.S.A.!"

While others have offered their support for the embattled hockey legend, Gretzky has so far declined to make a statement on his own behalf.

Trump has angered many Canadians by threatening stiff tariffs on the country's trade products and suggesting that Canada become the "51st state." He has also frequently mocked Prime Minister Trudeau by calling him "governor."

The controversy follows Gretzky's role as Team Canada's honorary captain at the 4 Nations Face-Off. He has been criticized in Canada for supporting Trump, including attending his election night party and inauguration.

Asked Thursday in Montreal if he had spoken to Gretzky since the 4 Nations, Trudeau smiled, chuckled and said "I have not."

In Edmonton, where Gretzky became a legend, some fans are petitioning to change the name of Wayne Gretzky Drive. The street was renamed in 1999 to honour his four Stanley Cups with the Oilers.

As of Thursday, the petition had gathered more than 10,000 signatures.

"Wayne Gretzky is a fantastic guy!" Trump wrote on Truth Social. "They call him, 'The Great One,' and he is. 

"He could run for any political office in Canada, and win. Wayne is my friend, and he wants to make me happy, and is therefore somewhat 'low key' about Canada remaining a separate Country, rather than becoming a cherished and beautiful 51st State, paying much Lower Taxes, a Free and Powerful Military, NO TARIFFS, and having a Booming Economy."

Michael Mulvey, a marketing professor at the University of Ottawa, says there is a case of "generational forgetting," due to how far back in time Gretzky built his brand and that ultimately he won't be affected much.

"I don't think Gretzky really needs to worry," he said. "I think he has enough coin in the bank and he's doing quite well for himself, thank you very much, even if we are not his fans. I do think it may have some implications on some of the brands that he endorses.

"You do occasionally hear people murmuring 'I'm not going to drink his wine' or whatever they want to talk about. I don't think it's going to really affect things, partly because at this stage of his career, the commercial spillover is fairly modest probably compared to at its peak."

Mulvey also said he's not sure many people will take action against Gretzky's brand.

"First of all, you would have to be a wine drinker or in the market for a new helmet to have even a collateral ding on sales."

The main issue, Mulvey says, is the timing, with so many people emotionally charged by Trump's words.

"People are not known for making great, rational decisions when they are all riled up or even angry," he said. "So I think when people cool down, take a step back and look at it -- they will still form their views ... but I think whenever the dust settles, we will still sit back and say, 'he was our greatest player in the great game and he had worldwide influence.'

"I guess if people want to criticize it, they have to look at the mirror and say, 'are athletes entitled to have personal views and vote in their own ways?' And that may be reflecting more on themselves than Gretzky."

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Read More :- "{coyotes} Gretzky remains silent as wife Janet joins Trump, Orr in hockey legend's defence"

{coyotes} Trump declares Gretzky a 'free agent' amid backlash for hockey legend

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The wife of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky says it has "broken his heart" to read "mean comments" as he faces intense criticism in Canada.

Janet Gretzky posted on Instagram on Thursday to thank Bobby Orr, another hockey great, for defending Wayne Gretzky amid backlash over his support for U.S. President Donald Trump.

"Thank you Mr. Bobby Orr," Janet Gretzky wrote. "Your words mean the world to Wayne and his family. I have never met anyone who is more proud to be a Canadian and it has broken his heart to read and see the mean comments.

"He would do anything to make Canadians proud, with his love for hockey and his country.

Her post included a photo of a printout of commentary by Orr, which also appeared in a Saturday opinion article for the Toronto Sun. Orr called Gretzky one of 'the greatest Canadians ever' and criticized those attacking him. 

"Listen, we all have our personal beliefs as they pertain to things such as religion and politics," Orr wrote. "Wayne respects your right to such beliefs — why can't you respect his?'"

Janet Gretzky's comments came after Trump called Wayne Gretzky "the greatest Canadian" and highlighted his loyalty to Canada in a Truth Social post Wednesday night.

Trump also stated that he doesn't want Canadians to turn against Gretzky simply because of their friendship.

"Wayne and Janet, his wonderful wife, love Canada, and they should only support Canada, and whatever else makes the Canadian People, and Governor Justin Trudeau, happy," Trump wrote on his official account. "He's the Greatest Canadian of them all, and I am therefore making him a 'free agent,' because I don't want anyone in Canada to say anything bad about him.

"He supports Canada the way it is, as he should, even though it's not nearly as good as it could be as part of the Greatest and Most Powerful Country in the World, the Good Ole' U.S.A.!"

While others have offered their support for the embattled hockey legend, Gretzky has so far declined to make a statement on his own behalf.

Trump has angered many Canadians by threatening stiff tariffs on the country's trade products and suggesting that Canada become the "51st state." He has also frequently mocked Prime Minister Trudeau by calling him "governor."

The controversy follows Gretzky's role as Team Canada's honorary captain at the Four Nations Face-Off. He has been criticized in Canada for supporting Trump, including attending his election night party and inauguration.

Asked Thursday in Montreal if he had spoken to Gretzky since the Four Nations, Trudeau smiled, chuckled and said "I have not."

In Edmonton, where Gretzky became a legend, some fans are petitioning to change the name of Wayne Gretzky Drive. The street was renamed in 1999 to honour his four Stanley Cups with the Oilers.

As of Thursday, the petition had gathered more than 10,000 signatures.

"Wayne Gretzky is a fantastic guy!" Trump wrote on Truth Social. "They call him, 'The Great One,' and he is.

"He could run for any political office in Canada, and win. Wayne is my friend, and he wants to make me happy, and is therefore somewhat 'low key' about Canada remaining a separate Country, rather than becoming a cherished and beautiful 51st State, paying much Lower Taxes, a Free and Powerful Military, NO TARIFFS, and having a Booming Economy."

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Read More :- "{coyotes} Trump declares Gretzky a 'free agent' amid backlash for hockey legend"

{coyotes} Crouse lifts Utah past Blackhawks 2-1 for third straight home win

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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Lawson Crouse scored the tiebreaking goal on a backhander with 7:48 left and the Utah Hockey Club rallied to beat the Chicago Blackhawks 2-1 on Tuesday night.

Clayton Keller scored in the second period and Karel Vejmelka finished with 21 saves to help Utah get its fifth win in seven games, including its third straight at home for the first time. Keller has a team-high 33 points in 29 home games.

Seth Jones scored for Chicago, and Arvid Soderblom stopped 34 shots. The Blackhawks have lost four straight (0-3-1) and seven of eight (1-5-2).

Jones' power play goal opened the scoring for Chicago with 6:26 left in the first period. Keller finally got Utah on the board when he tied it with 44 seconds remaining in the second.

Blackhawks: Chicago dominated on the penalty kill, going 5 for 5 against Utah after coming in 10th in the NHL at 80.8%.

Utah: After registering just eight shots on goal in the first, Utah had 28 over the final two periods.

Crouse gave Utah its first lead of the game with his backhand shot that proved the eventual game winner.

Chicago fell to 0-6-1 this season when tied after two periods.

Blackhawks play at Vegas on Thursday, and Utah hosts Minnesota.

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Read More :- "{coyotes} Crouse lifts Utah past Blackhawks 2-1 for third straight home win"

{coyotes} Dylan Guenther's power-play goal late in the 3rd period lifts Utah past the Canucks 2-1

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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Dylan Guenther scored a tiebreaking power-play goal with just under six minutes remaining in the third period and Utah beat the Vancouver Canucks 2-1 on Sunday night.

Logan Cooley, back in the lineup after missing the last seven games due to a lower-body injury, also scored for Utah, which won for the second time in three games. Clayton Keller had two assists, and John Marino and Nick Schmaltz each had one. Utah's Karel Vejmelka finished with 14 saves.

Jake DeBrusk scored for Vancouver. Arturs Silos had 30 saves. Elias Pettersson and Pius Suter assisted on DeBrusk's power-play goal at 1:43 of the second period that opened the score.

Cooley answered at 3:51 to tie the score at 1. Guenther tipped in a pass from Schmaltz for the winner.

Canucks: Vancouver remained in second place in the wild-card race in the Western Conference. The Canucks are three points ahead of the Calgary Flames.

Utah: Has taken the first two games of the season series against Vancouver.

Utah's only lead in the game came on Guenther's tip of Schmaltz's shot with the man advantage.

Utah had a 32-15 advantage in shots on goal. Utah also had 20 blocked shots compared to Vancouver's 12.

Utah hosts the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday. Vancouver plays the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday.

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Read More :- "{coyotes} Dylan Guenther's power-play goal late in the 3rd period lifts Utah past the Canucks 2-1"

{coyotes} Utah Hockey Club places D Valimaki on waivers

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The Utah Hockey Club has placed defenceman Juuso Valimaki on waivers Sunday. 

Valimaki has appeared in 43 games with Utah this season, scoring two goals with three assists. He has been a healthy scratch for Utah's past eight games.

He made the Team Finland roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off but did not appear in any games.

A first-round pick (16th overall) by the Calgary Flames in the 2017 NHL Draft, Valimaki was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Coyotes on Oct. 9, 2022. When the Coyotes franchise was suspended and transferred to expansion Utah, Valimaki went with the team to Salt Lake City. 

He is in the first season of a two-year, $4 million contract signed in June. 

The Tampere, Finland native has appeared in 271 career NHL games, scoring 11 goals with 72 points, split between the Flames and Coyotes/Utah.

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Read More :- "{coyotes} Utah Hockey Club places D Valimaki on waivers"

[cactuswings 4698] Storage Update Feb 22

Latest movers.

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MZJ Marana: AZ

DHK6/10FEB                  CVG-MZJ                        B77L       G-DHLW

NCR9963/19FEB           MCO-MZJ                        B752       N963CA

 

PDT9977/14FEB            MZJ-ABI                           E145       N661JA

DHK7/16FEB                  MZJ-CVG                        B77L       G-DHLW

CKS9768/18FEB           MZJ-LAX                         B744       N768CK

GYR Goodyear: AZ

NKS9142/12FEB           FLL-GYR                         A320       N642NK

NKS9173/12FEB           DTW-GYR                       A321       N673NK

CJT9001/14FEB            YHM-CVG-GYR             B752       C-GCJB

ART9105/15FEB            BGR-GYR                       A321       YL-LDP

NKS9154/21FEB           IAH-GYR                         A20N      N954NK

 

N8621A/12FEB              GYR-BGR                       B738       N8621A

CJT9002/15FEB            GYR-YHM                       B752       C-GCJS

IGM Kingman: AZ

ASH11/12FEB                IGM-ELP                          E75L       N88310

EDV5553/12FEB           IGM-CKB                         CRJ7      N379CA

GJS3395/20FEB            IGM-STL                          CRJ7      N576GJ (filed as N521LR)

UCA3281/20FEB           IGM-ISO                           E145       N17138

VCV Victorville: CA

FDX9040/10FEB           MEM-VCV                       A306       N684FE

FDX9045/13FEB           MEM-VCV                       MD11      N583FE

BOE706/14FEB             RNT-VCV                        B38M      EI-RZG

BOE878/14FEB             MWH-VCV                      B38M      N245BE

BOE616/17FEB             MWH-VCV                      B38M      B-20A3

FDX9042/17FEB           MEM-VCV                       MD11      N590FE

BOE18/18FEB                SKF-VCV                        B789       EC-NPQ

FDX9040/20FEB           MEM-VCV                       B752       N966FD

BOE409/21FEB             MWH-VCV                      B38M      ET-BBC

BOE601/21FEB             RNT-VCV                        B38M      N27366

BOE659/21FEB             MWH-VCV                      B38M      VT-BWN

UAL3871/22FEB            SFO-VCV                        B77W      N2331U

 

UAL3888/10FEB            VCV-IAD                          B772       N795UA

HGO828/16FEB             VCV-SEA                        B744       G-UNET

N747GF/18FEB             VCV-DWF                       B744       N747GF

BOE287/19FEB             VCV-BFI                          B38M      B-225Q

BOE339/21FEB             VCV-BFI                          B38M      N242BE

BOE376/22FEB             VCV-BFI                          B38M      N230BE

UAL3872/22FEB            VCV-SFO                        B77W      N2534U

SBD San Bernardino: CA

DAL9936/13FEB            SBD-MCI                         BCS1      N106DU

SKF San Antonio Kelly Field: TX

BOE979/19FEB             PDX-SKF                        B789       N2002D/D2-TER

ROW Roswell: NM

EDV5553/11FEB           MSP-ROW                      CRJ9      N331PQ

AWI9903/14FEB            ATW-ROW                      CRJ2      N415AW

VIV2/14FEB                    SAT-ROW                       A20N      XA-VIF

UPS9507/17FEB           SDF-ROW                       B763       N344UP

DAL9937/18FEB            MCI-ROW                        B739       N855DN

 

EDV5554/11FEB           ROW-MSP                      CRJ9      N335PQ

DAL9951/18FEB            ROW-ATL                        B739       N814DN

UPS9502/18FEB           ROW-ONT                       B763       N348UP

BFM Mobile: AL

NKS9043/14FEB           BFM-DTW                       A21N      N742NK

BHM Birmingham: AL

SWA8500/21FEB          ATL-BHM                         B737       N408WN

 

JBU8452/31JAN            BHM-JFK                         A320       N623JB

DHN Dothan: AL

HAL8982/16FEB            OAK-DHN                       B712       N475HA

 

N743AX/15FEB             DHN-OPF                        B762       N743AX

BYH Blytheville: AR

BBQ9825/13SEP           LEX-BYH                         B733       N629SW

 

BBQ9752/17FEB           BYH-AFW                       B733       N629SW

LAL Lakeland: FL

AJT98/20FEB                 LAL-SFB                          B752       N192AN

MLB Melbourne: FL

VOZ9946/12FEB           BNE-HNL-MLB               B38M      VH-8IC

 

ACA2319/10FEB           MLB-YQG                        B38M      C-FFIQ

VOZ9947/20FEB           MLB-ONT-KOA               B38M      VH-8IC

OPF Opa-locka: FL

LYNVG/08FEB               OPF-YUL-KEF-KUN     A320       LY-NVG

SFB Sanford: FL

N530FL/07FEB              SFB-MIA                          A321       N530FL

BQK Brunswick: GA

CSB9201/11FEB           ELP-BQK                         B762       N999YV

CJT9002/14FEB            YHM-BQK                       B763       C-GUAJ

CSB9201/21FEB           CVG-BQK                        B763       N298CM

 

CSB9200/16FEB           BQK-CVG                        B792       N999YV

MCN Macon: GA

DLA9932/18FEB            BGR-MCN                       E195       I-ADJX

 

N239JB/14FEB              MCN-SJO                        E190       N239JB

N216JB/18FEB              MCN-YQX                       E190       N216JB

DLA9933/20FEB            MCN-YYR                       E195       I-JENB

N636NN/21FEB             MCN-CKB                       CRJ9      N636NN

CWF Lake Charles: LA

N949SL/20FEB              CWF-MHV                       B744       N949SL

IAB McConnell AFB: KS

JIA9857/11FEB              IAB-DAY                          CRJ7      N540EG

CNW Waco: TX

N794AJ/02FEB              DAL-CNW                       B722       N794AJ

 

N794AJ/21FEB              CNW-SJC                       B722       N794AJ

Read More :- "[cactuswings 4698] Storage Update Feb 22"

{coyotes} Doughty's 3-point game helps Kings overcome Hayton's hat trick in 5-3 win over Utah

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LOS ANGELES (AP) Drew Doughty had a goal and two assists to lead the Los Angeles Kings to a 5-3 win over Utah on Saturday night.

Kevin Fiala, Alex Laferriere, Trevor Lewis and Mikey Anderson also scored as the Kings improved their record at home to 18-3-2. Darcy Kuemper made 25 saves.

Barrett Hayton scored three goals and had the first hat trick for Utah, which was looking for its fourth win in five games. Connor Ingram made 21 saves.

Doughty, who missed the start of the season because of a broken ankle, was back in action after playing for champion Canada in the 4 Nations Face-off and tied the game at 1-all 26 seconds after Hayton opened the scoring in the first. He had the secondary assist on Fiala's power-play goal and sent a long clearing pass that Laferriere chased down to put the Kings up 2-1 late in the second. It was Doughty's 16th career game with at least three points.

Doughty's effort helped spoil Hayton's first career game with multiple power-play goals and fifth career multi-goal outing.

Utah: Defenseman Sean Durzi returned after missing 52 games because of an October shoulder injury that required surgery.

Kings: Anderson, who was back in action after a hand injury sidelined him for four games before the break, scored an empty-netter with 1:30 remaining.

Lewis got to the slot and put a backhand of Jordan Spence's rebound through Ingram's legs to give Los Angeles a brief 4-2 lead.

The Kings have played a league-low 23 home games and are allowing 2.22 goals on average in those contests.

Utah hosts Vancouver on Sunday. The Kings host Vegas on Monday.

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Read More :- "{coyotes} Doughty's 3-point game helps Kings overcome Hayton's hat trick in 5-3 win over Utah"

{coyotes} NHL to hold first decentralized draft on June 27 in Los Angeles

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — When the NHL draft comes to Los Angeles this summer, expect a lot more Gary Bettman.

The 2025 NHL draft will take place June 27 and 28 at L.A. Live's Peacock Theatre, the league announced Saturday, and Bettman — the NHL's commissioner since 1993 — will be center stage as he is set to announce each first-round pick for the first time.

"Hopefully there won't be too many hard (names) to pronounce," Bettman said before the Los Angeles Kings hosted Utah on Saturday night.

The draft will be the first for hockey to use the decentralized model that has been standard for the NFL and NBA for decades, with team staffs participating virtually from their home cities.

Bettman and top prospects will still be in attendance for the event, with Bettman's role expanding beyond that of master of ceremonies for the first round. Teams had traditionally announced their own selections, but that role will now pass to the 72-year-old Bettman, long a lightning rod for boos whenever he gets on a live microphone in front of hockey fans.

"And remember, the clubs asked for this," Bettman said. "I wasn't looking for any more exposure. I have more than enough. But this is what the clubs told us they wanted, and we're going to try it. And we'll see after this year whether or not everybody likes it better."

Bettman appreciated the personal touch each organization put on its announcement, pointing out how they would be "thanking somebody at home, honoring somebody, remembering somebody." But most teams concluded it was easier to navigate the draft from their home offices after two years of holding it virtually because of the pandemic.

An expanded presence for Bettman might not be the only change to how the draft is presented. President of events and content Steve Mayer said "prospects and our fans can expect a first-rate event with a new look and creative approach," adding that details will be released in the coming months.

The draft was conducted in person the past three years following the coronavirus pandemic. The NHL bid farewell to the old format with a bang at the Sphere in Las Vegas last year, using the gigantic screens inside and outside the 18,000-seat venue to spectacular effect.

"It wasn't practical to keep going back to the Sphere for a whole host of reasons, including what it cost," Bettman said. "It was extraordinary. We spent multiples, maybe exponentially, of what we normally spend for a draft. But if we were going to finish off the way we did it under the old format, we were going to do it as big as we could."

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{coyotes} Canadian fans irked by Wayne Gretzky's affiliations with Trump amid tensions

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"The Great One" is facing heightened criticism over his political affiliations as tensions between Canada and the U.S. continue to fester.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to make Canada the "51st state" of the U.S., prompting mass criticism from Canadian politicians and residents.

Those critiques appeared to grow louder after Canada's overtime win Thursday at the 4 Nations Face-Off final in Boston. Gretzky was Team Canada's honorary captain.

Terry Jones, a sports writer who covered the Edmonton Oilers for 55 years, said Trump's stated ambitions to annex Canada have made calls for clarity around Gretzky's views more urgent.

"I consider him a great Canadian," said Jones, who has written several books about Gretzky. Jones is a also Hockey Hall of Famer.

"But obviously the relationship with Trump has become a focus, and I can't believe in my heart and soul that Wayne Gretzky believes Canada should be the 51st state."

Gretzky's connection to Trump has come into the public eye over the past year.

Gretzky and his wife attended Trump's inauguration in January, and he has been photographed with Trump several times at the president's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. Gretzky was also photographed at Trump's election victory party wearing a Make America Great Again hat.

Before his inauguration, Trump called Gretzky a great friend.

"I said, 'Run for prime minister, you'll win,'" Trump said. "But (Gretzky) said, 'Am I going to run for prime minister or governor, you tell me?' I said, 'I don't know, let's make it governor.'"

Gretzky has not publicly discussed his political affiliations, leading to questions about his level of support for Trump's agenda, as the president's tariff threats and "51st state" rhetoric ramp up.

Gretzky's perceived reluctance to state his beliefs has affected his reputation among some Canadians, Jones said.

He adds that he doesn't object to the 64-year-old Gretzky attending Trump's inauguration.

"If I'm right that (Gretzky) doesn't think Canada should become the 51st state, he should step up and say it," Jones said.

"I certainly haven't turned on Wayne Gretzky or changed any degree of my absolute admiration for the guy."

Frustrations that Gretzky has not sufficiently supported Canada were voiced by fans online after he appeared as honorary captain in a suit and tie at the hockey final. American honorary captain Mike Eruzione wore the U.S. jersey.

Video footage showed Gretzky giving the U.S. team a thumbs-up as he walked to the ice from their bench. He handed the Canadian players hats that said Be Great after the win.

M2NS, a talent agency representing Gretzky, didn't respond to a request for comment.

In 2009, Gretzky was named a Companion of the Order of Canada but has been criticized for not travelling to Ottawa for it.

The Office of the Secretary to the Governor General said in a statement that Gretzky was honoured with the award, and it "regularly communicates with recipients to determine their availability to participate in an investiture ceremony to receive their insignia." 

In Edmonton, where Gretzky made his name as a living legend, some fans are petitioning for a freeway in his name to be changed. Capilano Drive was renamed Wayne Gretzky Drive in 1999 as a tribute to his years with the Oilers, where he won four Stanley Cups.

Petition organizer Grant Prete said his opinion of Gretzky has deteriorated since a photo in November of Gretzky wearing a MAGA hat.

"If he's going to flip now and make a statement saying otherwise, it's going to be hard to believe," he said. "That's how I feel at this point. ... I don't know what he could do."

As of late Friday, the petition had reached 3,800 signatures.

A spokesperson for the City of Edmonton said the city hasn't received any requests to rename Wayne Gretzky Drive.

"Anyone who wants to make a request for a renaming needs to fill in an application and get letters of support along with other required information," Kris Berezanski said in an email.

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{coyotes} Ten minute overtime? Longer TV timeouts? 4 Nations Face-Off is an NHL testing ground

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MONTREAL (AP) — Canada and Sweden traded chances back and forth, skating up and down the ice for 3-on-3 overtime that provided dazzling entertainment in the opener of the 4 Nations Face-Off.

By the time Mitch Marner scored the winner for Canada, more than six minutes had elapsed. Had it been during the NHL regular season, the horn would have sounded at the 5-minute mark and the game decided in a shootout.

Extending OT to 10 minutes is one of the experiments taking place at the tournament that could go into use as soon as next season. There's still plenty of debate over whether it should, and Marner's goal made it a hot topic in Montreal.

"I don't know. It's a good question," Finland captain Aleksander Barkov said Thursday. "Obviously there's a lot of games — 82 regular-season games — and on top of it, if you keep adding longer and longer overtimes, I don't know how guys would take that. I'm fine with how it is right now."

Canada's Nathan MacKinnon, who played more than a third of OT, said the discussion even came up in Canada's locker room on Wednesday night. His answer about 10-minute overtimes becoming a reality in the NHL was clearer than he could see by the end of that game.

"No. No. No," MacKinnon said. "I was happy when Marner scored because I didn't have much left to give, so 5 to 7 would be good."

Changing the rules would require an agreement between the league and Players' Association, though it's good timing for that with collective bargaining talks ongoing and official negotiations on the horizon. Adding more of a workload without extra pay is a strike against extending OT, and it would tax the top players more than others.

"I like it as far as I think it's more fun, overtime," U.S. goaltender Jake Oettinger said. "You have to ask the top players that would be playing extra minutes, I think, for them, but I vote yes on it. I think it's great."

It would also increase the likelihood of games ending before a shootout, which Canada's Mark Stone called "a glorified skills competition." Self-professed shootout-hating U.S. defenseman Zach Werenski would prefer that but is concerned at the potential consequences.

"In overtime, usually your top guys are going and if it's a back to back or whatnot, obviously it takes a lot out of you," Werenski said. "It was something to mess around with, I think, especially maybe preseason or something just to see how guys feel. I wouldn't be opposed to going to 10 minutes. I just don't like shootouts that much."

The NHL is also using the tournament to try adding 30 seconds to each of the three television timeouts every period and subtracting a minute from each of the two intermissions. Canada coach Jon Cooper isn't sure about how much of an impact that might have, if any.

"TV timeouts are long as it is," Cooper said. "Can you recharge some of your top-end players? Of course you can. But then what does it do to the guys that haven't been out there, haven't been out before the TV timeout? And now you've got to wait through that. It's kind of the double-edged sword in that part."

The 4 Nations is also using the international system of awarding three points for a regulation win, two for an overtime or shootout win, one for an overtime or shootout loss and none for a regulation loss.

"I feel like it makes a bigger difference in the end," Sweden's Lucas Raymond said. "I'm used to it back in Sweden when I was playing, it was always a three-point system. It's a little bit different, but it for sure brings a bigger impact."

Changing the point system is the least likely thing for the NHL. When asked about it, Commissioner Gary Bettman has said there is not much of an appetite to abandon the current format of two points for a win of any kind and one for an overtime or shootout loss.

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