Wayne Gretzky, Matthew Tkachuk named to Donald Trump's new initiative alongside Triple H, NFL commissioner, and other sports pros

Florida Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk and NHL legend Wayne Gretzky are among the high-profile professional athletes named on US President Donald Trump’s council on sports, fitness and nutrition.

In an executive order signed on July 31, Trump ordered the revocation of previous iterations of the council and the creation of a new one, which would align with the administration’s health agenda.

WWE wrestler Triple H, NFL kicker Harrison Butker, golf great Jack Nicklaus and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell were also included in the list of notable figures.

However, NFL star Saquon Barkley declined the invitation, citing a busy schedule as the reason for his withdrawal.

Part of Trump’s "Make America Healthy Again" agenda, the council will focus on promoting health and nutrition in public schools, along with the reinstatement of the Presidential Fitness Test.

While it’s unclear what role Matthew Tkachuk and Wayne Gretzky could play in the initiative, they should have plenty of input.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to join Matthew Tkachuk, Wayne Gretzky on President Donald Trump’s council

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman will be among the high-profile athletes headlining President Trump's newly formed Council on Sports and Fitness - Source: Imagn

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman was also named on the council. Bettman, like NFL Commissioner Goodell, has been deeply involved in efforts to support local communities.

A piece released by The White House on August 1 highlighted how the Trump administration looks to restore “tradition to college athletics.” That’s a key statement as the NHL and NFL attract a significant number of young athletes via the NCAA.

Bettman, along with Wayne Gretzky and Matthew Tkachuk, has been consistently involved in promoting youth sports throughout the United States and Canada at national and grassroots levels.

Gretzky has often been cited as the most important reason why hockey exploded in the United States. Meanwhile, Tkachuk has been part of the Florida Panthers' back-to-back championship squads, further helping to promote hockey in non-traditional markets.

About the author

Nestor is an NHL and MLB writer at Sportskeeda with over 10 years of experience. Growing up in Toronto, he became an avid Maple Leafs and Blue Jays fan, but also admires the New York Islanders and Los Angeles Dodgers for their dominance in the 80s. Holding an Economics and Education major, Nestor’s passion for writing and sporting events led him to take up reporting about the sport professionally.

Nestor credits the Leafs’ playoff runs in the early '90s as having a lasting impact on him. His favorite players are Doug Gilmour and Mike Bossy, as he feels they were tough, talented leaders, while Pat Burns is his favorite coach of all time for always preaching a fast-paced game.

Growing up in Canada, it was natural for Nestor to become interested in ice hockey and he played Minor Hockey as a teenager, which has given him a unique perspective on the sport. Nestor has mastered the art of how to best present facts and he also has a knack for knowing which sources can be trusted, and which can't for stories.

When he is not writing about Canada’s national passion, Nestor enjoys running and hiking.

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Edited by Nestor Quixtan