Fact check: Did Wayne Gretzky ever receive his order of Canada

1. Summary of the results

Wayne Gretzky did receive the Order of Canada, as evidenced by the "C.C." (Commander of the Order of Canada) notation after his name ^[1]. Specifically, he was awarded the honor in May 2009 ^[2]. However, the situation is more complex than a simple yes/no answer, as there was controversy surrounding the actual collection of the award.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several important contextual elements were missing from the original question:

• Gretzky did not immediately collect his award after it was granted ^[2]
• He only picked up a lower-rank honor 14 years later in a private ceremony, actively avoiding public gatherings ^[2]
• According to Christopher McCreery, an expert on the matter, "if someone can't collect their award within five years, they might as well not accept it" ^[2]
• There have been broader controversies surrounding Gretzky's relationship with Canadian identity, including criticism of his role as an honorary Canadian team captain and his connections to Donald Trump ^[3]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question's simplicity masks several important aspects:

• It suggests a straightforward administrative process, when in reality, receiving the Order of Canada involves both the award and its formal acceptance/collection
• It doesn't acknowledge the complex relationship between Gretzky and his Canadian identity, which has been a subject of public debate ^[3]
• While Gretzky is celebrated as a hockey legend recognized for both athletic achievements and community service ^[1], his delayed collection of the award and preference for private ceremonies suggests a more complicated relationship with public honors and recognition ^[2]