Petition urges Oilers to reverse Formenton signing

An online petition is asking the Edmonton Oilers to reconsider their signing of Alex Formenton, saying fans can oppose the move even though he was acquitted in court. The petition, started by longtime Oilers supporter Mary Loewen, had gathered more than 19,000 signatures by Friday morning. Loewen said she would no longer back the team while Formenton remains on the roster. The Oilers signed Formenton to a oneyear, US$850,000 contract this week after reviewing his legal history, the NHL and Hockey Canada processes, and speaking with the player and people close to the situation. The club said it believed he had earned the chance to return to the league. Formenton was one of five former Canadian world junior players acquitted last year of sexual assault charges linked to a 2018 incident in London, Ont. He later played in Switzerland and had previously appeared in 109 NHL games with the Ottawa Senators. The petition asks the Oilers to take any lawful and contractually available steps to reverse the signing, explain the decision publicly, and adopt standards for future roster moves. The signing comes as Edmonton also faces scrutiny over other recent hires involving controversial figures.