Fans Push Oilers to Cancel Formenton Deal After Acquittal

Over 19,000 fans have signed a petition demanding the Edmonton Oilers undo Alex Formenton’s new contract, even though a court cleared him of sexual‑assault charges.

The Oilers announced on Wednesday that they had signed forward Alex Formenton to a one‑year contract worth US$850,000. The move came after the player was reinstated by the NHL and Hockey Canada following his 2025 acquittal of sexual‑assault charges.

An online petition demanding the team reverse the signing had gathered more than 19,000 signatures by Friday morning. The campaign was launched by longtime Oilers supporter Mary Loewen, known online as “Mama Stanley.”

Loewen wrote that she will stop supporting the Oilers while Formenton stays on the roster. The petition asks the organization to take every lawful step to cancel the contract, to explain publicly how the decision was reached, and to adopt survivor‑informed standards for future signings.

The Oilers defended their choice, pointing to Formenton’s acquittal and a “lengthy due‑diligence process.” In an email, the team’s ticketing and customer‑service department said it had reviewed the court case, the NHL and Hockey Canada procedures, and all available information before signing the player.

The team also said it spoke directly with Formenton and people close to the matter and felt comfortable giving him the opportunity to return to the NHL. NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed that Formenton faced no additional league requirements before the contract was signed.

The petition reflects a clash between the legal clearance of a player and some fans’ expectations that the club uphold higher ethical standards. By asking for transparency and survivor‑focused policies, the supporters hope the Oilers will reconsider how it evaluates future signings.

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Dinleme pratiği

Dinleme pratiği