Oilers lose long-time super fan 'Mama Stanley' after Formenton signing

If you've watched any Edmonton Oilers playoff hockey over the last couple of years, you've almost certainly seen Mary Loewen. Known to the hockey world as "Mama Stanley," Loewen became a beloved figure in Edmonton by showing up to games and watch parties decked out head-to-toe in silver and sparkles, essentially transforming herself into a human Stanley Cup. She was front and center during the Oilers' 2024 Cup run, sitting behind the bench, rallying the faithful at the Moss Pit, held together by two sequin blazers, skating gloves, a Cup-shaped hat, and reportedly around 200 bobby pins. She was the living embodiment of Oilers fandom. And now, she says she's done with the team.

A Line in the Sand

The catalyst was the Oilers' decision to sign Alex Formenton to a one-year, $850,000 deal on Wednesday. Formenton, 26, was one of five former World Junior players charged with sexual assault stemming from an incident at a 2018 Hockey Canada event. All five were acquitted in 2025, but the fallout from the case has lingered throughout the hockey world, with the NHL itself acknowledging that the conduct in question "falls woefully short" of the standards expected of players and clubs.

For Loewen, the acquittal wasn't enough to make the signing palatable. In an emotional statement posted to her Instagram on Wednesday night, she revealed that as a sexual assault survivor herself, she simply could not reconcile her values with the organization's roster decision.

"With a very, very broken heart, I am making an announcement I never imagined I would have to make," Loewen wrote. She expressed deep disappointment in the Oilers and said that as long as Formenton remains on the roster, she will not support or cheer for the team.

She compared the pain of this moment to the sting of the Oilers' Game 7 loss two years ago, saying that while that defeat cost them a Stanley Cup, this feels like losing the team she has loved for most of her life. That's a pretty powerful statement from someone who literally dressed up as the trophy.

Loewen was clear, however, that she is not abandoning her Mama Stanley identity. She emphasized that the persona belongs to her, not the Edmonton Oilers organization, and that it represents belief, kindness, children, survivors, and community. Those are values she refuses to compromise.

The Broader Fallout

Loewen isn't the only one pushing back. On Thursday, she launched a petition on Change.org calling on the Oilers to take every lawful and contractually available step to reverse the signing. The petition had already gathered over 1,100 signatures by late Thursday morning. In it, Loewen made the distinction that a criminal acquittal does not obligate fans, survivors, sponsors, or community members to support every employment decision that follows.

Sexual assault support organizations in the Edmonton area also weighed in. The Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton noted that decisions made by sports organizations send messages about consent, safety, accountability, and respect. The Saffron Centre, another non-profit focused on sexual assault support, said it was "deeply disappointed" and argued that the Oilers' decision fell short of the responsibility that comes with the influence professional sports organizations hold in shaping community values.

Meanwhile, Formenton himself addressed reporters at a captain's skate on Wednesday, saying he was grateful for the opportunity and acknowledged that the last eight years have been difficult for him and his family. He spoke about looking forward to growing as a person and a player. Captain Connor McDavid offered his support, calling it a "great opportunity" for Formenton and noting that the forward had been "transparent through the process."

Formenton hasn't suited up in the NHL since the 2021-22 season with the Ottawa Senators. He spent the last three years playing in Switzerland's National League, putting up 52 points in 88 games. He is the third member of the so-called "Hockey Canada five" to land an NHL deal since being reinstated by the league, joining Carter Hart with the Vegas Golden Knights and Dillon Dube with the St. Louis Blues.

The Oilers have yet to publicly respond to the backlash. Whether or not the petition gains enough traction to force any kind of organizational response remains to be seen, but one thing is already clear: the signing has cost the Oilers something that can't be measured in cap space. When you've lost Mama Stanley, you've lost something money can't buy back.