Protesters gather in Edmonton before Oilers game

Dozens of protesters gathered outside Rogers Place in Edmonton on Saturday before the Oilers’ first home game of the season, objecting to the team’s recent signing of forward Alex Formenton. The group chanted messages about consent and held signs calling for support for survivors. Some protesters said the signing was upsetting because Formenton is one of five former members of Canada’s world junior team who were acquitted last year of sexual assault charges related to an incident in a London, Ont., hotel room in 2018. The Oilers have defended the move, saying they did their due diligence before signing Formenton to a oneyear contract. The protest drew support from some fans, including Oilers superfan Mary Loewen, whose petition against the signing has collected tens of thousands of signatures.