‘We Would Love It If President Trump Was In Attendance’: What Bill Guerin, Former Oilers Forward, Actually Said On Fox News

On a recent segment on Fox News, Bill Guerin, a former forward for the Edmonton Oilers and current general manager of the Minnesota Wild, made a statement that caught the attention of the hockey world. Guerin, a well-respected figure in the sport due to his years of NHL experience, both as a player and in management, discussed a range of topics, including his team’s performance and the state of the league in general. However, it was his comments regarding the potential presence of former U.S. President Donald Trump at one of his team’s games that quickly became the focal point of his appearance.

The statement, “We would love it if President Trump was in attendance,” was made during an interview with Fox News hosts, where Guerin was asked about a variety of topics, including his vision for the Wild, the current state of the NHL, and his thoughts on bringing high-profile figures into the sports world. While his words were casual in tone, they generated substantial conversation across social media platforms, news outlets, and among hockey fans.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Guerin’s comments, the context surrounding his statement, and the reactions that followed. We’ll also delve into the broader discussion of politics in sports, and how athletes, coaches, and executives are increasingly being asked to balance their roles within their respective leagues with their personal beliefs and public statements.

The Context: Bill Guerin’s Career and Role with the Minnesota Wild

Before delving into Guerin’s specific comments, it’s important to understand the background of the man making them. Bill Guerin, a former NHL player known for his gritty style of play and his ability to score key goals, enjoyed a successful career in the league, playing for several teams, including the New Jersey Devils, Boston Bruins, San Jose Sharks, Dallas Stars, St. Louis Blues, and the Edmonton Oilers. Guerin retired as a player in 2010 after an illustrious 18-year career.

In his post-playing days, Guerin transitioned into a front-office role, becoming the general manager of the Minnesota Wild in 2019. As GM, Guerin has quickly gained a reputation for his hands-on, pragmatic approach to managing the team. His focus on building a competitive and sustainable roster, while also fostering a winning culture, has made him a well-respected figure in the league. Under his leadership, the Wild have been consistently competitive, and he has played a major role in their ongoing efforts to develop a long-term contender.

Given his experience and the respect he commands in the hockey community, Guerin’s words on any subject, including politics and public figures, are often given significant attention. While hockey players and executives are typically focused on the sport itself, Guerin, like many other figures in sports, has been drawn into discussions about the intersection of sports, politics, and public opinion.

The Statement: “We Would Love It If President Trump Was In Attendance”

When Guerin made the statement about wanting Donald Trump to attend a Minnesota Wild game, the remark seemed innocuous at first glance. In the interview, Guerin was speaking about the potential for high-profile figures to attend NHL games, and Trump, a known fan of the sport, was brought up as a notable example. Guerin’s comment was casual, and he added that it would be great for any prominent figure to attend and support the game, especially someone with the kind of platform Trump commands.

However, it was his specific mention of Trump that quickly caught the attention of the media. The former president has remained a highly polarizing figure in American politics since leaving office in 2021. His presence at a sporting event, especially one with the visibility of the NHL, would naturally spark discussions about the intersection of politics and entertainment. Trump is a known supporter of several sports, including hockey, and has attended numerous games in the past. His association with the sport of hockey, particularly the NHL, has always been viewed with a mixture of intrigue and controversy due to his polarizing status.

Guerin’s statement, while respectful and measured, raised questions about the role of political figures in sports and whether or not they should be welcomed in professional sporting venues. It was an unexpected comment from an executive in the NHL, a league that tends to maintain a level of separation between its games and political commentary.

Reaction to Guerin’s Statement

The reaction to Guerin’s comments was swift and widespread. For some, the statement seemed like a simple expression of hospitality toward a former president and a high-profile public figure. Given that sports have long been a place where different facets of American society meet, including celebrities, politicians, and even world leaders, some saw Guerin’s words as a natural invitation for someone who has been an outspoken advocate of the sport.

For others, however, the comment raised eyebrows. Hockey, like many other professional sports leagues, has long operated under the notion that politics and sport should remain separate. This principle stems from the idea that sports should be a unifying experience for people of all political beliefs, backgrounds, and ideologies. By welcoming a figure like Trump—who is deeply polarizing—it was suggested that Guerin risked alienating fans who may not agree with the former president’s politics.

Some fans were quick to express their disappointment with Guerin’s remark, pointing out that the political climate in America is already deeply divided and that a political figure like Trump attending a sporting event could further fuel division within the sport’s fan base. Others argued that it was an inappropriate statement from someone in Guerin’s position and that the GM should have been more mindful of the potential backlash.

In contrast, there were many fans who applauded Guerin’s comments, saying that sports should be a place for all people to come together, regardless of political affiliation. They viewed Guerin’s invitation as an opportunity to demonstrate inclusivity and to welcome people from all walks of life to the game of hockey.

This division in response points to the larger question of how public figures in sports should navigate the complex and often fraught relationship between their personal beliefs and the expectations placed upon them by fans and the public.

The Intersection of Sports and Politics

The discussion surrounding Guerin’s comment highlights an ongoing debate about the role of politics in sports. Over the past few decades, athletes and team executives have increasingly found themselves in the spotlight, not just for their on-field performances, but also for their personal beliefs and political stances. Whether it’s athletes using their platforms to speak out on social justice issues, executives making public statements about political figures, or entire leagues taking stances on matters of national importance, the line between sports and politics has become increasingly blurred.

One of the most notable examples of this intersection was in 2020 when athletes across various sports, including the NHL, used their platforms to protest racial injustice and support movements like Black Lives Matter. These protests led to both support and backlash, with some arguing that athletes should stick to sports and others applauding them for using their platform to bring attention to important social issues. More recently, the debate has extended to issues surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccination mandates, and public health.

In many ways, Guerin’s comment about Trump represents a continuation of this trend. As the sports world continues to evolve, the role of politics in professional leagues becomes a more prominent issue. The question of whether or not a political figure should be welcomed at a sporting event, and whether or not their presence might alienate certain segments of the fanbase, is one that many team executives and players will likely have to consider moving forward.

Sports as a Unifier

At the heart of the debate is the role that sports should play in society. Many see sports as an inherently unifying force. Regardless of personal beliefs, sports provide an opportunity for people to come together and enjoy a shared experience. Whether cheering for a home team or watching the game from afar, fans of all backgrounds and political leanings are united in their love for the sport. Hockey, in particular, has long been viewed as a sport that transcends borders and brings people from different cultures together.

However, with the increasing prominence of social media and the visibility of athletes and executives, it is becoming harder to keep sports and politics separate. As the lines continue to blur, it’s important for figures like Bill Guerin to recognize the complexities involved in making public statements that can be interpreted in various ways. His comment about Trump highlights the ongoing struggle many sports figures face in balancing their personal opinions with the expectations of their audience.