French Olympic Hockey Players Rip Decision To Suspend Teammate Who Fought Tom Wilson

France's Olympic hockey run ends after Pierre Crinon fights Tom Wilson, then faces suspension from his own federation as teammates question the decision.

Feb. 19, 2026 at 3:07pm

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France's men's hockey team was eliminated from the 2026 Winter Olympics after a 5-1 quarterfinal loss to Germany. The team's frustration stemmed from the suspension of player Pierre Crinon, who got into a fight with Washington Capitals player Tom Wilson during an earlier group stage loss. Crinon was suspended by France's hockey federation for the remainder of the Games, a decision that his teammates criticized as unfair and detrimental to the team's chances.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the tensions that can arise when national sports federations discipline players for on-ice incidents, especially when those decisions are seen as undermining the team's performance at a major international tournament. It also speaks to the broader challenges faced by smaller hockey nations like France as they try to compete against powerhouses.

The details

Crinon, who plays for Grenoble's Brûleurs de Loups ("Wolf Burners") in the French league, dropped the gloves with Washington Capitals and Team Canada player Tom Wilson late in France's 10-2 group stage loss. While fights are common in hockey, France's hockey federation took the unusual step of suspending Crinon for the remainder of the Olympics, a decision that left his teammates frustrated.

  • France was eliminated from the tournament on Tuesday after a 5-1 loss to Germany.
  • The fight between Crinon and Wilson occurred during France's 10-2 group stage loss earlier in the Olympics.

The players

Pierre Crinon

A French hockey player who plays for Grenoble's Brûleurs de Loups team and was suspended by France's hockey federation for the remainder of the Olympics after fighting with Tom Wilson.

Tom Wilson

A player for the Washington Capitals and Team Canada who got into a fight with Pierre Crinon during France's group stage loss.

Antoine Keller

The goalie for France's Olympic hockey team who criticized the decision to suspend Crinon.

Hugo Gallet

A defenseman for France's Olympic hockey team who suggested the suspension of Crinon may have been retaliation for a previous incident.

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What they’re saying

“We are a big family: When we come together, we come as brothers, and we just got rid of one of our brothers, so it's a joke from the French Committee Olympic. We need this player. We needed him today, and they just take it from us for something that just, like, happens every week in any hockey game, so I think that's a joke.”

— Antoine Keller, Goalie

“Honestly, it's a little bit frustrating for our own federation to suspend him. I'm behind him. We needed him. He is a big part of our team, and they took a really good player from us.”

— Hugo Gallet, Defenseman

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.