Full Breakdown
Mama Stanley Withdraws Support After Oilers Sign Alex Formenton
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Signing and Superfan’s Decision
On September 9, 2026, the Edmonton Oilers announced a one-year contract worth US $850,000 for forward Alex Formenton. Within hours, longtime superfan Mary Loewen—known publicly as “Mama Stanley”—posted on Instagram that she would no longer support or cheer for the team while Formenton remained on the roster. Loewen, a sexual-assault survivor, framed the decision as a matter of conscience rather than a dispute over the court verdict.
Background: Formenton’s Legal History and Reinstatement
Formenton was one of five members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior team charged with sexual assault stemming from an encounter after a Hockey Canada gala in London, Ontario. All five pleaded not guilty and were acquitted on July 24, 2025 by Justice Maria Carroccia after a two-month trial. Following the acquittal, Hockey Canada reinstated the players, and the NHL and the players’ union later agreed that the five would be suspended until December 1, 2025, with eligibility to sign from October 15. An independent appeal board in August 12, 2026 found the players breached Hockey Canada’s code of conduct, extending bans for four of the five; Formenton alone was deemed eligible for immediate reinstatement.
Data & Statistics
- Contract value: US $850,000 for one season.
- Formenton’s recent performance: 52 points (33 goals, 19 assists) in 88 games with HC Ambri-Piotta of Switzerland’s National League.
- Age: 26; native of Barrie, Ontario.
- Petition launched by Loewen on Change.org gathered over 1,100 signatures by late Thursday.
Official Statements & Responses
The Oilers organization has replied to fan complaints through direct emails, an unusual step indicating the volume of backlash. General manager Stan Bowman cited Formenton’s reinstatement by Hockey Canada as justification for the signing. Captain Connor McDavid called the addition a “great opportunity” and noted Formenton’s transparency throughout the process.
Criticism & Opposition
Daily Hive sports journalist Preston Hodgkinson observed that fan reaction on social media was “overwhelmingly negative,” comparing it to past pushback against figures such as Corey Perry and Mike Babcock. The Saffron Centre, a local sexual-assault support nonprofit, expressed “deep disappointment,” arguing that the Oilers’ decision fell short of the responsibility professional sports teams hold in shaping community values.
On-the-Ground Reports
Loewen’s Instagram post, shared widely across platforms, described her heartbreak and the betrayal she felt after decades of representing the Oilers as “Mama Stanley.” Fans who have followed her for years posted supportive messages, while others echoed her decision to boycott the team.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I am deeply disappointed by the Edmonton Oilers' decision to sign Alex Formenton,” — Mary Loewen
- “With a very, very broken heart, I am making an announcement I never imagined I would have to make,” — Mary Loewen
What’s Next
Loewen’s petition calls on the Oilers to reverse Formenton’s affiliation, but the organization has not indicated any reconsideration. Training camp is set to open shortly, and Formenton remains under contract for the upcoming season. The broader conversation about survivor advocacy and professional-sports accountability is expected to continue as the Oilers navigate fan sentiment and community expectations.
