The Edmonton Oilers have inked a one-year deal with forward Alex Formenton valued at $850,000 in US currency. Hailing from Barrie, Ontario, the 26-year-old spent three of the last four seasons competing for HC Ambri-Piotta in Switzerland and took a break from hockey in the remaining season. During his time with HC Ambri-Piotta, Formenton amassed 33 goals and 19 assists, accumulating a total of 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 others, who were cleared of sexual assault allegations last year involving an incident with a woman referred to as “E.M.” following a Hockey Canada event in London, Ontario that year. The NHL reinstated the players a year ago, permitting them to resume play starting 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 an immediate return to Hockey Canada-sanctioned programs. The board recommended continued suspensions for Cal Foote, Carter Hart, Dillon Dube, and Michael McLeod from Hockey Canada-sanctioned activities. Hart, who joined Vegas, played a pivotal role in the Golden Knights’ journey to the Stanley Cup final last season before falling to the Carolina Hurricanes in six games. Dube, a forward, secured a deal with the St. Louis Blues in July.
Formenton was drafted in the second round of the 2017 NHL draft by the Ottawa Senators. Across his 109 NHL appearances, he has tallied 23 goals and 16 assists.
