Oilers hit with growing petition over Alex Formenton signing and need to react

The Edmonton Oilers signed forward Alex Formenton to a one-year, $850,000 deal on Wednesday, bringing the 25-year-old back into the NHL fold. But the biggest talking point since the announcement has had nothing to do with what Formenton can offer on the ice.

An online petition calling on the Oilers to reverse the signing had surpassed 20,000 signatures by Friday morning, reflecting significant backlash from the fan base.

The petition was launched by Mary Loewen, a devoted longtime Oilers supporter known by the nickname "Mama Stanley." She declared this week that she would no longer support the team as long as Formenton remains on the roster.

Formenton was one of five former members of Canada's World Junior team who were acquitted last year of sexual assault charges stemming from an encounter with a woman following a Hockey Canada gala in 2018 in London, Ontario.

The petition makes clear that it does not challenge the court's verdict. Instead, it argues that the Oilers' decision to sign Formenton runs counter to the values that many fans and survivors expect from the organization.

Edmonton has defended the move by pointing to Formenton's reinstatement by both the NHL and Hockey Canada, as well as what the team described as a "thorough due diligence process."

The petition goes further than simply opposing the signing. It calls on the Oilers to take "all possible legal and contractual measures" to reverse the deal. It also urges the organization to adopt future recruitment standards that take the perspectives of victims into account.

The rapid accumulation of signatures suggests the controversy is unlikely to fade quickly. With training camp on the horizon and the regular season approaching, the Oilers now face mounting public pressure that extends well beyond the usual hockey debates.

It remains to be seen whether the growing petition will have any tangible impact on the organization's plans, or whether Edmonton will stand firm behind its decision to bring Formenton into the fold.