The Olympic spirit was put to the test in Milan on Sunday, as France’s Pierre Crinon and Canada’s Tom Wilson clashed in a rare and heated fight during the men’s ice hockey group stage at the 2026 Winter Games. With just under seven minutes left in a lopsided 10-2 win for Canada, tempers flared after Crinon delivered a high hit to Canadian superstar Nathan MacKinnon, drawing a two-minute penalty for interference and a storm of reactions from both benches.
Tom Wilson, known league-wide for his physical play and willingness to defend teammates, wasted no time stepping in. The ensuing altercation saw both Crinon and Wilson drop the gloves and exchange punches—a sight seldom seen on Olympic ice, where fighting is strictly prohibited under International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) rules. Both men were immediately assessed five-minute majors and game misconducts, resulting in their ejection from the contest.
The aftermath, however, proved to be far more consequential for Crinon than for his Canadian counterpart. While the IIHF declined to impose further suspensions on either player, the French Ice Hockey Federation (FFHG) took a much harder line. On Monday, following a hearing with FFHG president Pierre-Yves Gerbeau and Olympic officials, Crinon was suspended from all remaining Olympic games, including Tuesday’s critical qualification playoff against Germany. Should France advance, he will remain sidelined for any subsequent matches as well.
In a statement, the FFHG explained its reasoning: “Pierre Crinon’s provocative behavior upon leaving the ice, even though he had just been ejected from the game for fighting, constitutes a clear violation of the Olympic spirit and also undermines the values of our sport.” The federation emphasized that every player wearing the French national team jersey carries a duty to set an example, especially during the Olympic Games. Crinon’s actions, which included taunting Wilson and the pro-Canada crowd as he exited the rink, were deemed unacceptable and contrary to the federation’s standards.
Crinon, a 30-year-old defenseman for Grenoble in Ligue Magnus, France’s top hockey league, was making his Olympic debut in Milan. His inclusion on the national roster had already sparked debate among French hockey circles, owing to a checkered disciplinary record. Earlier in the 2025-26 season, Crinon was suspended for seven games after repeatedly punching an opposing, maskless goaltender, Matt O’Connor, during a domestic league match. O’Connor sustained a serious eye injury that required 13 stitches and led to ongoing concussion symptoms. Crinon later apologized for the incident and participated in educational programs aimed at reducing violence in sport.
This season alone, Crinon has accumulated 66 penalty minutes in just 29 games, a rate that would put him on pace for 187 PIMs in a full 82-game NHL schedule—good for sixth-most in the NHL last year, just ahead of Wilson’s own total. Over his 13-year professional career, Crinon has built a reputation for physicality and frequent fighting, with several of his bouts documented from stints in Slovakia’s Extraliga and North American junior leagues. He has yet to play a season in which his point total exceeded his penalty minutes, underscoring his status as an enforcer rather than a finesse blueliner.
Crinon’s Olympic campaign, brief as it was, will be remembered for the controversy rather than his play. During Sunday’s game, after his high hit on MacKinnon, Wilson’s intervention was met with approval from the Canadian bench. “That’s just what Willy does,” said Canadian forward Brandon Hagel, referring to Wilson’s reputation for protecting teammates. “He sticks up for teammates. Obviously, we didn’t like what happened to Mac behind the net. That’s what you call a team. That’s why everyone praises and loves Tom Wilson, because that’s the stuff he does.” MacKinnon himself expressed gratitude postgame, noting his appreciation for Wilson’s response.
French reactions, in contrast, were more reserved. Sacha Treille, a teammate of Crinon and a goal scorer in the game, told reporters: “It’s not something that you like to see in the Olympics.” Forward Dylan Fabre added, “I don’t know whether a fight was really needed.” The French federation’s decision to suspend Crinon was made in full agreement with the French National Olympic and Sports Committee, highlighting the importance placed on upholding the Olympic ideals of respect and sportsmanship.
For Wilson, the altercation capped off a memorable night on the ice, as he recorded an Olympic Gordie Howe hat trick—registering a goal, an assist, and a fight in the same game. His performance drew praise from Canadian head coach Jon Cooper and his teammates, who saw the fight as a galvanizing moment in an already dominant victory. Canada’s next test will come in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, where they will face the winner of the Czechia-Denmark qualifier.
France, meanwhile, faces a daunting task. With Crinon suspended, they must regroup quickly for Tuesday’s do-or-die qualification playoff against Germany, led by NHL superstar Leon Draisaitl. The winner will advance to a quarterfinal showdown against Slovakia. France finished bottom of Group A with zero points, and their hopes of a deep tournament run now rest on a depleted blue line and a shaken locker room.
Crinon, for his part, is expected to return to Grenoble of Ligue Magnus following the Olympics. The federation’s actions send a clear message about the standards expected at the highest levels of international competition. “The FFHG intends to remind everyone of the values of every player wearing the French national team jersey and their duty to set an example, particularly during the Olympic Games,” read a statement from France’s Olympic Committee.
As the dust settles in Milan, the incident has reignited debate about the role of fighting in hockey, especially on the sport’s biggest international stage. While some see it as an integral part of the game’s culture, others argue that the Olympics, with their emphasis on sportsmanship and unity, are no place for such displays. For now, the French federation’s swift and decisive action stands as a reminder that the Olympic spirit is about more than just winning—it’s about how the game is played and the example set for athletes around the world.
With the playoff round looming and both teams moving forward in their respective tournaments, all eyes will be on how France responds without their most controversial defender and whether Canada can maintain their momentum in pursuit of gold.