Thousands Sign Petition Over Oilers' Latest Roster Move

A petition calling on the Edmonton Oilers to reverse their signing of Alex Formenton had gathered more than 19,000 signatures by Friday morning. Longtime fan Mary Loewen (known as Mama Stanley) launched it, saying she'd stop supporting the team while Formenton remains on the roster.

The Oilers signed Formenton, one of five former world junior players acquitted last year in a sexual assault case tied to a 2018 Hockey Canada gala, to a one-year, $850,000 deal. The petition states it doesn't dispute the acquittal but argues that it doesn't obligate fans to accept the roster decision.

The Oilers released a statement and responded to fan emails, citing Formenton's acquittal, reinstatement by the NHL and Hockey Canada, and their own review process. An independent appeal board recently found that all five players breached Hockey Canada's code of conduct, though only Formenton was immediately eligible for reinstatement.

The petition also calls on the Oilers to explain their decision-making process publicly and adopt clearer standards for future signings.