Canada Hockey Star Defends Fight That Led to Opponent's Ban

Tom Wilson explains his decision to fight France's Pierre Crinon during a lopsided Olympic hockey match.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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In a preliminary round game at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics, a fight broke out between Team Canada's Tom Wilson and France's Pierre Crinon after Crinon elbowed Canada's Nathan MacKinnon. Crinon was banned for the remainder of the Winter Games due to his "provocative behavior," while Wilson avoided punishment. Wilson defended his actions, saying the hit on MacKinnon was "dirty" and that he was willing to risk an ejection to stand up for his teammate.

Why it matters

Hockey fights, especially at the Olympic level, are a controversial topic, with debates around sportsmanship, player safety, and the role of physical play in the game. This incident highlights the complex dynamics at play and the split-second decisions players must make in the heat of competition.

The details

The fight occurred in the third period of a 10-2 win by Canada over France. After Crinon elbowed Canada's Nathan MacKinnon, Wilson decided to confront Crinon, leading to a fight between the two players. France's Ice Hockey Federation subsequently banned Crinon for the remainder of the Winter Games due to his "provocative behavior" as he was leaving the ice, while Wilson avoided any punishment.

  • The fight occurred in the third period of the Canada-France preliminary round game on Sunday, February 16, 2026.
  • Crinon was banned by the France Ice Hockey Federation for the rest of the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics following the incident.

The players

Tom Wilson

A right wing for the Washington Capitals who plays for Team Canada's hockey team at the 2026 Olympics.

Pierre Crinon

A French hockey player who was banned for the remainder of the 2026 Olympics after the fight with Tom Wilson.

Nathan MacKinnon

A Canadian hockey player on Team Canada who was elbowed by Pierre Crinon, prompting Tom Wilson to defend him.

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What they’re saying

“It was kind of a dirty hit, and it's a little bit different in the Olympics, how you have to go about it. I obviously ended up with the same guy who had done it. Hockey is an emotional game. It's a competitive game. And when you come together with a big guy, you kind of have to make the decision quickly and the gloves came off.”

— Tom Wilson (Newsweek)

The takeaway

This incident highlights the fine line hockey players must walk between standing up for their teammates and avoiding punishments that could hurt their team's chances. Wilson's willingness to risk an ejection to defend MacKinnon speaks to the competitive spirit of the Olympics, but also raises questions about sportsmanship and player safety in the sport.