Oilers hit with emotional fallout after Alex Formenton signing as longtime supporter leaves team
Photo credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Longtime Oilers superfan Mama Stanley says she won't support Edmonton again as long as Alex Formenton remains with the team.
Edmonton Oilers superfan Mama Stanley is stepping away from the team she has cheered for most of her life, following the club's decision to sign free agent forward Alex Formenton.
The well known fixture at Oilers games announced on Instagram that she can no longer support the organization while Formenton remains on the roster, calling it one of the hardest announcements she has ever had to make.
Formenton signed a one year, $850,000 contract with Edmonton on September 9, 2026, marking his return to the NHL after three seasons overseas with HC Ambri-Piotta in Switzerland.
He was one of five players tied to a 2018 case stemming from a celebration following Canada's World Junior gold medal win.
Formenton was acquitted at trial and was later reinstated by Hockey Canada, a factor general manager Stan Bowman pointed to when explaining the signing.
A personal decision rooted in her own experience
Mama Stanley explained that her decision goes beyond anger or a quick reaction.
As someone who has survived s***al a****lt herself, she said she felt she had to stand with the woman at the center of the case rather than cheer on an organization that chose to bring Formenton into the fold.
She was careful to note the stance is not directed at the rest of the roster, saying she will always care about the players who were already part of the team.
"With a VERY, VERY BROKEN HEART, I am making an announcement I never imagined I would have to make.
I am deeply disappointed by the Edmonton Oilers' decision to sign Alex Formenton.
Although he was acquitted in court, I cannot ignore my conscience or what this decision represents to me.
As a s***al a****lt survivor, I must stand by my morals and stand with the woman at the centre of this case.
For that reason, as long as Formenton remains an Oiler, I CANNOT AND WILL NOT support or cheer for this team.
This isn't about the players who have been there-I will always love my boys.
This is about the organization's decision to bring in this one player. I just cannot support that decision!
I did not make this choice lightly or simply out of anger.
I've cried in waves because I feel betrayed by an organization I have proudly loved and represented for years.
Losing Game 7 two years ago meant losing a Stanley Cup; this feels like losing a team I have loved with my heart for most of my life.
CLEAR: I am still Mama Stanley. Mama Stanley belongs to ME-not the Edmonton Oilers organization.
She represents BELIEVE, kindness, children, survivors and community. I will not abandon her or EVER compromise her values."
- Mama Stanley
I am deeply disappointed by the Edmonton Oilers' decision to sign Alex Formenton.
Although he was acquitted in court, I cannot ignore my conscience or what this decision represents to me.
As a s***al a****lt survivor, I must stand by my morals and stand with the woman at the centre of this case.
For that reason, as long as Formenton remains an Oiler, I CANNOT AND WILL NOT support or cheer for this team.
This isn't about the players who have been there-I will always love my boys.
This is about the organization's decision to bring in this one player. I just cannot support that decision!
I did not make this choice lightly or simply out of anger.
I've cried in waves because I feel betrayed by an organization I have proudly loved and represented for years.
Losing Game 7 two years ago meant losing a Stanley Cup; this feels like losing a team I have loved with my heart for most of my life.
CLEAR: I am still Mama Stanley. Mama Stanley belongs to ME-not the Edmonton Oilers organization.
She represents BELIEVE, kindness, children, survivors and community. I will not abandon her or EVER compromise her values."
- Mama Stanley
Mama Stanley says her identity is bigger than the team
She compared the emotional weight of this decision to losing Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final two years ago, saying this feels even heavier because it touches something closer to her heart.
Still, she made clear that her persona is not owned by the franchise.
Mama Stanley represents belief, kindness and support for survivors and children, and she intends to keep standing for those values no matter what happens with the team going forward.
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