Edmonton made a controversial acquisition in the NHL - over 24,000 people demand the contract to be terminated!

The Edmonton Oilers made a controversial acquisition this week, announcing that they have signed Canadian forward Alex Formenton to a one-year contract worth $850,000.

Formenton was part of a group accused in a high-profile gang rape case that shook all of Canada. Formenton, Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube, Carter Hart, and Cal Foote were found not guilty in July 2025.

Formenton’s hiring has sparked a lot of intense discussion. Now, long-time Edmonton fan Mary Loewen has launched a petition demanding the termination of Formenton’s contract. The petition was created on September 10, and by Friday evening Finnish time, it had already gathered over 24,000 signatures. The number is continuously growing.

– The Edmonton Oilers signed Alex Formenton to a one-year contract on September 9, 2026. This decision has deeply hurt many victims, long-time fans, and community members who expect the organization to represent honesty, accountability, and respect, the petition states.

Loewen writes in the petition that for many, the decision to make Formenton a representative of Edmonton contradicts the values they expect from the organization.

– As a victim of sexual violence and a long-time supporter of the Oilers, I cannot support or encourage this team as long as Formenton is part of it. I have heard that victims and hockey fans across Edmonton and Canada feel violated and betrayed.

– We urge the Edmonton Oilers to take all legal and contractually possible actions to reverse this contract and end the collaboration with Alex Formenton.

Formenton, 26, has played 109 games in the NHL with the Ottawa Senators, recording 23 goals and 16 assists for a total of 39 points. He last played in the NHL during the 2021-22 season.

In the 2022-24 and 2025-26 seasons, Formenton played in Switzerland for HC Ambri-Piotta. In the 2024-25 season, he did not play anywhere. Last season, Formenton scored 23 points in 42 games in Switzerland with 13 goals and 10 assists.