The Edmonton Oilers have signed forward Alex Formenton to a one-year contract worth US$850,000, the NHL team said Wednesday.
Formenton was one of five players from Canada’s 2018 world junior team who were acquitted last year on sexual assault charges stemming from an encounter with a woman known as “E.M.” after a Hockey Canada gala that year in London, Ont.
The NHL a year ago reinstated all five players, allowing them to play beginning Dec. 1, 2025.
Carter Hart signed with Vegas and backstopped the Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup final last spring before losing to the Carolina Hurricanes in six games. Dillon Dube, a forward, signed with the St. Louis Blues in July.
The 26-year-old Formenton didn’t shy away from questions about the case after his first Oilers practice on Wednesday.
“It was a difficult road, it was tough on my family and me personally ,” Formenton said.
“Throughout the whole process it’s been pretty transparent, you know, everyone is obviously aware of the outcome. It was definitely a difficult time but I’m very grateful and thankful to be here today,” said Fermonton.
An independent appeal board ruled last month that the players breached the Hockey Canada code of conduct, but Formenton was the only one eligible for immediate reinstatement from suspension from Hockey Canada-sanctioned programs.
The board recommended continued bans for Hart, Dube, Cal Foote and Michael McLeod.
The NHL is seperate from Hockey Canada and last year reinstated all five players.
“I think he’s gone through a process, he’s been transparent through the process and that process has led him here today,” Oilers Captain Connor McDavid said of his new teammate. “It’s a great opportunity for him.”
The Formenton signing is also sparking concerns outside the arena, however.
“The Edmonton Oilers’ decision to sign Alex Formenton will have a significant impact on fans, survivors, and the broader Edmonton community,” the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton said in a statement to Global News.
“For many survivors, this decision will be viewed not simply as a hockey matter, but as a painful example of sports culture prioritizing talent over accountability.”
SACE said decisions of this nature send powerful messages about an organization’s values and its commitment to safety, consent, and respect.
“We urge all organizations to carefully consider the broader impact their hiring decisions have on the community.”
Fans also weighed in on Formenton’s signing.
“I know that all of them were acquitted — the moral judgement is where I have questions,” Oilers fan Mike Medicoff said.
However other fans said they feel Formenton should be able to get on with his life as he sees hit. Formenton said he’s looking the Oilers signing as a fresh start and says he’s a different person today.
“I think there’s lots of lessons to take from it and moving forward, looking forward to growing as a person and growing as a player on and off the ice,” he said.
McLeod will not be eligible for reinstatement to Hockey Canada-sanctioned programs until Nov. 10, 2030. Foote will be eligible on Nov. 10, while Hart and Dube will be eligible on that day in 2027 and 2028, respectively.
Formenton, a native of Barrie, Ont., was selected by Ottawa in the second round of the 2017 NHL Draft. He recorded 23 goals and 16 assists over 109 career games with the Senators.
Formenton spent three of the past four seasons playing in Switzerland (for HC Ambri-Piotta) and the other not in hockey at all.
McLeod, meanwhile, is under contract in the KHL.
Foote played last season with the American Hockey League’s Chicago Wolves and recently had a one-year contract with Farjestad BK rescinded when the Swedish club received criticism for the signing.
With files from The Associated Press and Joel Gotlib, Global News