In a shocking turn of events, France has banned its own player, Pierre Crinon, from the remainder of the Olympics following a heated altercation with Canada’s Tom Wilson. But here’s where it gets controversial: Was Crinon’s ejection and subsequent suspension justified, or did the French Ice Hockey Federation overreact? Let’s dive into the details.
During Canada’s 10-2 victory over France on Sunday, Tom Wilson achieved a rare Olympic feat—a Gordie Howe hat trick, which includes a goal, an assist, and a fight. The fight in question? A scuffle with French defenseman Pierre Crinon, a player no stranger to controversy. Crinon, who plays for Brûleurs de Loups in France’s top league, Ligue Magnus, has a history of on-ice incidents that have raised eyebrows. Earlier this season, he was suspended for seven games after repeatedly punching an opposing goalie who wasn’t wearing a mask, causing an eye injury. And this is the part most people miss: Crinon’s selection for France’s Olympic roster was already a contentious decision due to his reputation for rough play.
Crinon’s stats speak volumes about his style of play. In 29 games this season, he’s racked up 66 penalty minutes (PIMs), putting him on pace for 187 PIMs in an 82-game NHL season—a total that would’ve ranked sixth in the NHL last year, just above Wilson’s 178. Interestingly, Crinon has never had a season where his points outnumbered his penalty minutes, a stark contrast to most players at this level. His brief stint in North American junior leagues during the 2014-15 season further highlights his penchant for physicality, with 108 PIMs in just 43 games.
Crinon’s ejection from Sunday’s game wasn’t just about the fight itself. As he left the ice, he taunted Wilson and the crowd, a move that caught the attention of the French Ice Hockey Federation (FFHG). The FFHG summoned Crinon for a review of his conduct, culminating in his suspension from the rest of the tournament. France’s next game, a single-elimination playoff qualifier against Germany on Tuesday, will now proceed without him.
In their statement, the FFHG emphasized that Crinon’s behavior ‘constitutes a clear violation of the Olympic spirit and undermines the values of our sport.’ But here’s the question: Did Crinon’s actions warrant such a severe penalty, or was this an overcorrection by the federation? After all, fighting is prohibited in the Olympics, but players like Wilson—known for his physical style—continue to compete without similar repercussions.
Tom Wilson, meanwhile, is set to continue with Team Canada, with his next game scheduled for February 18 in the quarterfinals. His teammates and head coach Jon Cooper praised his response to Crinon, who had earlier delivered a questionable hit on superstar Nathan MacKinnon. But is Wilson’s style of play any less controversial than Crinon’s? That’s a debate for another day—or perhaps the comments section below.
What’s your take? Did France make the right call by suspending Crinon, or did they go too far? And how should the Olympics handle players with a history of physicality? Let us know in the comments!
