Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has addressed comments made by then-President-elect Donald Trump, who referred to him as the “governor” of the “Great State of Canada” during a trailer for the upcoming documentary Rivals: The 4 Nations Face-Off. This film, produced by Blink49 Studios, captures the excitement of the February 2025 Four Nations international ice hockey tournament, culminating in a championship game where Team Canada triumphed over Team USA.
In a light-hearted yet pointed response, Trudeau remarked, “He’s said better insults to me than that” in the teaser released by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). The documentary features archival footage of Trump from the Oval Office, where he stated, “I’d like to see Canada become our 51st state.”
Documentary Highlights National Sentiment
The trailer also showcases the reaction of Chantal Kreviazuk, a Grammy-winning Canadian singer, who felt compelled to modify the lyrics of the Canadian national anthem, “O Canada,” during her performance at the tournament in Boston’s TD Garden. Her change was a direct response to Trump’s remarks, emphasizing a wave of patriotic fervor among Canadians.
The documentary illustrates how Trump’s taunts invigorated the Four Nations tournament, leading to intense rivalries and spirited competition on the ice. Alongside Canada and the United States, teams from Finland and Sweden participated in the tournament, but the fierce North American rivalry quickly dominated media coverage.
According to Connor McDavid, a star player for the Edmonton Oilers, the tournament felt remarkably significant. “It wasn’t the Olympics, but it felt that big,” he reflects in the trailer, highlighting the cultural and emotional stakes involved. Following Canada’s victory, Trudeau took to social media platform X to assert, “You can’t take our country — and you can’t take our game.”
Behind the Scenes of a Historic Tournament
Directed by Yon Motskin, Rivals: The 4 Nations Face-Off provides a comprehensive look at the inaugural seven-game tournament, featuring in-depth conversations with NHL players and commentary from both Canadian and American analysts. The film explores not only the athletic competition but also the broader cultural and political implications of this sporting event, reflecting on how sports can intersect with national identity.
Executive producers for the project include Motskin, former NHL player P.K. Subban, and Jennifer Dettman. The documentary was developed in collaboration with the National Hockey League (NHL) and the NHL Players’ Association, ensuring it captures the authentic spirit of the sport.
Scheduled for release on February 5, 2025, the documentary will air on CBC’s main network and be available for streaming on CBC Gem. This premiere follows the success of another Canadian ice hockey project, Heated Rivalry, a popular series on Crave in Canada and HBO Max in the United States.
As the anticipation builds for both the documentary and the upcoming Winter Olympics in Italy, Rivals: The 4 Nations Face-Off promises to deliver a compelling narrative that intertwines sports, politics, and national pride.