More than 400 days after being acquitted following the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial, Alex Formenton is returning to the NHL.

The 26-year-old inked a one-year $850,000 contract with the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday, just in time to hit the ice for the club’s first captain’s skate ahead of training camp.

“I’m very grateful to the Katz family and Stan Bowman, Jeff Jackson, Mike Babcock for granting me this opportunity,” said Formenton. “I’m very excited to be an Oiler and look forward to trying to make the most out of this opportunity.”

The Barrie, Ont., native stepped away from the NHL in 2022 along with four other players who were accused of sexual assault. All five were eventually acquitted.

In 2025, the NHL reinstated the former players involved in the trial. Carter Hart was the first to return, signing with the Vegas Golden Knights last season, while Dillon Dube signed a one-year contract with the St. Louis Blues on July 1, having spent last season with their AHL affiliate. Formenton becomes the third player to step back into an NHL locker room, joining Connor McDavid and the Oilers.

“Listen, I think he’s gone through a process,” said McDavid. “He’s been transparent through the process, and that process has led him here today, and it’s a great opportunity for him.”

It’s been a long road back to the NHL for Formenton, who went overseas in 2022 to play for HC Ambri-Piotta of the Swiss National League during his leave from the NHL. In 2024, he left professional hockey for a year to work in construction. After the acquittal, he returned to Switzerland for the 2025-26 season.

Over four years since his last NHL game, Formenton believes honesty was a key part of his return.

“I think, throughout this whole process I’ve been open and honest of my actions in it, and, given that and being open and honest, I think that has granted me an opportunity today,” he said. “Being away from the NHL for the past four seasons, I’ve been eager to get back and working hard to become the player I was and take a step forward. So, I’m going to do everything I can, on and off the ice, and whatever role that I need to, to help this organization.”

Given the public scrutiny he received during the trial, Formenton said the past few years have been difficult. But he also acknowledged that he learned a lot along the way.

“I think there’s lots of lessons to take from it and moving forward and looking forward to growing as a person and growing as a player on and off the ice.”

Formenton last played for the Ottawa Senators in the 2021-22 season, during which he recorded 18 goals and 32 points in 79 games.

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