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.
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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
It’s the classy move we’ve come to expect from the Coilers.
Common Sense: It does not sound like you have any Common Sense. And dare I say that U sound like a loser.
Your choice of words ..”puck bunny getting raped..” “..raising daughters not to be complete whores….” speaks loudly to what type of person you are. I feel sorry for the females in your life. Let me guess, if one of these players were your son, you would pat them on the back and reward them and say “Atta boy…”
Every one of you losers against this need to raise your daughters to not be complete whores and to take accountability for their actions.
You’re the problem. Absolutely pathetic humans.
To all you of you who support these men playing in the NHL, and say they were all defamed and she was a liar.. here is some food for thought. This shows that you still believe boys will be boys and these acts were consenual but the minute they needed to force her to make a video after they assualted her and make her say she agreed to be gang banged to show how innocent it was that is the problem May someone you love be treated the same way they treated EM and don’t worry it is just boys being boys!
May I add that not all men, not all hockey players do this kind of thing, however for those that do, a hard stance needs to be taken and they need to learn that their are consequences to their actions. The line of thinking that “Boys will be boys” needs
To be stopped. This player and all the ones involved in Room 209, are horrible role models. I would hate to see any young fans look up to them. Is it possible for them to redeem themselves? Sure they can absolutely try, but I do not see them trying. All I see is them going on with their privileged lives acting like they are the victims and were wronged. The fact that the Oilers organization thinks this is a good signing and that this should be non problematic and no big deal morally, speaks volumes.
Good ole hockey culture at its finest. For those people that don’t seem to care about this, you are part of the problem. This kind of SA happens all too often in professional sports and people would be appalled if they knew of every instance. Most of the time it never gets officially reported unfortunately. I would like to remind people about Hockey Canada using player registration fees for use in paying out settlements of this nature. In the fiscal year of 2022, $2.9 Million was used for this purpose. As for this specific player, he was accused of having sex with a drunk woman without consent. He was found not guilty in the courts but that does not mean he’s morally not guilty. If he was sorry, he would hold himself accountable and would be remorseful, and would take a step back to work on himself. The Oilers just see dollar signs at the end of the day so they think this is a stellar deal, low one year commitment for a cheap contract, just for a sliver of a chance to win the all mighty cup and make $$$$$$. This player will not make a difference and I am sure they will regret this signing because all it does is cast them in a bad light and opens up a can of worms. It shows their morals and true colors.
Stephanie
September 10, 2026 at 11:15 am
Clancy is guilty and if the chair is off the table then she at the very least should never see the outside of a prison cell.
Amen to that.
Clancy is guilty and if the chair is off the table then she at the very least should never see the outside of a prison cell.
The only people who are behind this signing are the type of people who would have been in that room if they had the chance. I am done with the Oilers. ✌️
Denita
September 9, 2026 at 5:36 pm
What’s your opinion on the Lindsey Clancy case?
Stephanie
September 9, 2026 at 11:36 pm
Whats your opinion on the Lindsey Clancy case?
I see no issue with this signing as they were all found NOT guilty in a court of law. Being a tramp is not a defense.
Tell me it ain’t so.
Watch “Code of Misconduct “ on Netflix. Then decide if the Oilers and the billionaire Katz are worth supporting. At the very least, enjoy paying $20 for a cup of stale beer.
Welcome to Canada where you are found not guilty but are still guilty. Maybe we should apply that to the real criminals running around the streets and running the country!
I’m with mama Stanley on this one
Well sure hope the first 50/50 draw goes
To supporting sexual assault survivors! He should feel “grateful” for being here today because he doesn’t deserve the opportunity! Stay classy Oilers organization,
Horrible signing & deeply Disappointing!
Gross decision by the Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club — very disappointing! Definitely will not be supporting this team while this guy is here
The only reason this little rat face ever got laid was because he played hockey
@Stephanie. Tell me you are misogynistic without telling me. No woman would say what you said. Stay single.
@Denita
This woman did report it and was found to be an absolute liar who made up every allegation. If you want to talk about why real SA might not get reported to police, it’s liars like EM who are just looking for a payday.
The idea that all these woman (GFs, sisters, moms) have been SA’d is so absurd. Having someone on the street tell you your pretty is not assault as women like to claim. Though I doubt you’ve ever had that problem
Not guilty. Some puck bunny claims rape so that her boyfriend doesn’t get mad at her cheating and got paid for it. She should be in jail, especially considering there were minors in the room.
Even the judge said she’s full of it. Go read the verdict.
Time for women to start taking some accountability for their actions.
Love how “men” in the comments agree with him being signed. Glad that you’ll be forever single and never have daughters or sons.
So they were acquitted, not enough evidence, all the years out of the nhl already and now people think they should never gain employment?
NO MEANS NO!
To James Bilodeau, Anonymous, Stephanie, and Wistful : YOU are the reason most sexual assaults go unreported. The patriarchy and chauvinism women have to survive – ask your Mom, your sister, your girlfriend if they’ve ever been assaulted. You’ll be surprised at the answer.
Hey, we signed Trudeau onto our team when he was accused of similar misdoings (only his was underage) so why the outcry over this.
Watch the Netflix documentary “Code of Misconduct “, then decide about this guy and the other players involved.
Mike S like we care what you do.
Pretty sure the woman in this was lying for most of it. Sex you regret in the morning isn’t SA or Rape. It just isn’t. Congratulations to young man they signed on
The guys were acquitted, which means the burden of proof was not met. It doesn’t mean they’re not guilty. We’re not going to another Oiler game.
They were found NOT GUILTY!!! The complainant lied and made false allegations
ACQUITTED means “not guilty”…these young men can get on with their lives.
Just a hard no.
I guess you can be a sex offender and play in the NHL
Well, after all that, they sign him at their own risk.
Shows what morals that girl had. ZIP,ZERO ,NADA, NONE
SHOWS WHAT MORALS EDMONTON HAS !!! ZERO, NADA, NONE !!! DIRTBAGS