There is finally a québécois hockey player at the Milan Games

Pietroniro was not only born in Quebec, he also spent part of his childhood there. However, he had to follow his father Marco (Pietroniro) around North America while his father was a player and then a coach.

Phil played three seasons in the QMJHL—his first in Quebec—before spending two years in the ECHL and then moving to Europe. He played in Italy, then in France, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, where he still plays today.

He spent his summers in Montreal, but during the year he followed his father. It was south of the border that he fell in love with hockey.

Phil Pietroniro lived in Italy from 2017 to 2022. He is an Italian citizen and has represented the country internationally since 2018. Before the tournament, the Italian selectors were clear: they would not invite NHL players who have Italian citizenship but have never represented the nation internationally.

It should be noted that Pietroniro is playing in Kladno this season… and that his coach is none other than Tomas Plekanec. He also has Daniel Audette… and sometimes Jaromir Jagr as teammates. And boss, in Jagr’s case!

Admit it, it’s still strange to know that there is only one Québécois in the entire Olympic men’s hockey tournament, and that he’s not playing for Canada. It’s enough to give those who are campaigning for the creation of Team(s) Quebec a rash—and plenty of ammunition.

In soccer, we often see players who are unable to break into their national team due to the enormous talent in the selection and who therefore decide to play for their second nationality. In hockey, it’s rarer, but it does happen. Pietroniro may be the 10,000th best Canadian player right now, but he’s one of the best Italians.

In short, Canada is to hockey what France and England are to soccer, for those who didn’t know.