The Edmonton Oilers have inked a deal with forward Alex Formenton for a one-year contract valued at $850,000 US. Hailing from Barrie, Ontario, the 26-year-old player has recently played for HC Ambri-Piotta in Switzerland for three out of the last four seasons, with a break from hockey in between. During his time at HC Ambri-Piotta, Formenton tallied 33 goals and 19 assists, totaling 52 points across 88 games. His most recent NHL appearance was during the 2021–22 season with the Ottawa Senators.
Formenton was part of Canada’s 2018 world junior team, along with four other players, who were cleared last year of sexual assault allegations involving an incident with a woman referred to as “E.M.” following a Hockey Canada event in London, Ontario. The NHL reinstated the players a year ago, allowing them to resume playing from December 1, 2025.
An independent appeal board recently found that the players had violated the Hockey Canada code of conduct. However, Formenton was the sole player eligible for immediate reinstatement to Hockey Canada-sanctioned programs. The board recommended further suspensions for Cal Foote, Carter Hart, Dillon Dube, and Michael McLeod from participating in Hockey Canada-sanctioned activities.
Carter Hart has since joined the Vegas Golden Knights and played in the Stanley Cup final, where they were defeated by the Carolina Hurricanes in six games. Dillon Dube, a forward, signed with the St. Louis Blues in July.
Formenton was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the second round of the 2017 NHL draft. Throughout his NHL career spanning 109 games, he has scored 23 goals and provided 16 assists.