Syndication: The Record - Source: ImagnWhen Wayne Gretzky’s refusal to pick up Order of Canada caused major chagrin (image credit: IMAGN)

Wayne Gretzky, widely considered the greatest hockey player ever, was awarded the Order of Canada in May 2009. Despite this high honor, a controversy started as he never picked it up.

It prompted Christopher McCreery, a Canadian honors expert to comment about it. According to a 2018 article from Macleans, McCreery shared that he could not believe why Gretzky had not collected it.

“It’s just embarrassing,” McCreery said. “I’ve probably met 1,000 recipients of the Order of Canada. It’s a highlight of their lives — their country saying thank you.”

“All are supposed to be in the same category, yet they think they are on a plane above everybody else,” McCreery added.

Gretzky, who lived in California and holds dual citizenship, had a similar issue with a lower rank of the Order of Canada. He only picked it up 14 years later in a private ceremony, avoiding a public gathering.

The 18-time NHL All-Star’s representative had mentioned scheduling conflicts as the reason for not attending, however, there are numerous investitures scheduled yearly. According to McCreery, if someone can’t pick up their award within five years, they might as well not accept it.

The situation is not unique to Wayne Gretzky. Hockey players like Phil Esposito and Bobby Clarke also received the Order of Canada but never collected it.

McCreery also added that appointees are informed in advance and schedules are adjusted to accommodate them.

“They try really hard with the companion level. It’s the pinnacle for Canada,” McCreery explains.

Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds picks Wayne Gretzky to have healing powers

A Milestone Like Nothing Else”: Ryan Reynolds Joined Wayne Gretzky on an Elite List Years Before a Potential $800 Million Senators Takeover - EssentiallySports

Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds, known for playing Deadpool, said he would give Wayne Gretzky superhuman healing powers. In an interview with Scott Campsall of The Score, Reynolds picked Gretzky when asked which athlete he would give this ability to.

“To one athlete, It’d be Gretzky,” Reynolds said.

Wolverine actor Hugh Jackman chose Jesse Owens for the same power.

Reynolds and Jackman are the stars of the superhero comedy movie ‘Deadpool & Wolverine,’ released on July 26. This movie is the third in the Deadpool series, following films in 2016 and 2018.