In a move that signals a determined step back into professional hockey, forward Alex Formenton has officially signed with HC Ambri-Piotta of Switzerland. This development, confirmed by the club, sees Formenton rejoin a familiar team, yet it arrives with a significant asterisk: his eligibility for the National Hockey League (NHL) remains unresolved, cast under the shadow of an ongoing league review.
The deal, which extends through the international break at the close of December with an option for the remainder of the 2025-26 season, marks a pivotal moment for the 25-year-old. Formenton`s return to the ice follows a period of intense legal scrutiny, from which he, along with four other players—Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Dillon Dube, and Cal Foote—was acquitted of sexual assault charges in July. These charges stemmed from an alleged incident following a Hockey Canada event in June 2018 in London, Ontario.
The Legal Labyrinth and a Fragile Acquittal
The journey through the Canadian legal system was protracted and public, culminating in a two-month trial. Justice Maria Carroccia delivered the verdict of acquittal on July 24, a decision that, in theory, cleared the players of criminal culpability. However, the intricacies of professional sports governance dictate that legal absolution does not automatically equate to a clean slate within league structures.
The NHL, often described as a league that operates under its own distinct code of conduct, promptly issued a statement following the acquittals. Despite the legal outcome, the league found the allegations in the case “very disturbing” and deemed the players` alleged behavior “unacceptable.” Consequently, the NHL declared all five players, none of whom currently hold contracts with NHL teams, ineligible to play while it conducts its own comprehensive review of the judge`s findings. This position underscores a fundamental difference: what is legally permissible is not always professionally acceptable.
A Swiss Sanctuary and an Unfinished Chapter
HC Ambri-Piotta, a club Formenton previously played for in 2023-24 before taking a leave of absence in January 2024 when charges were laid, has welcomed him back with open arms. In a statement, the club expressed its delight, noting, “Leaving his personal experiences in Canada behind him, Alex has decided to return to hockey and has expressed his desire to relaunch his professional career wearing the number 10 jersey for Ambri.” This sentiment highlights a common pathway for athletes facing professional hurdles: finding opportunity in leagues abroad, away from the immediate glare of North American media and institutional oversight.
For Formenton, a former second-round draft pick of the Ottawa Senators in 2017, this return to Switzerland represents more than just a paycheck; it is a vital chance to regain game fitness, re-establish his on-ice identity, and demonstrate his commitment to his career. Yet, even as he laces up his skates in the Gottardo Arena, the specter of his NHL future looms large.
The NHL`s Deliberation: Awaiting the Final Verdict
The NHL`s statement, “While we conduct that analysis and determine next steps, the players charged in this case are ineligible to play in the league,” leaves little room for immediate speculation. The league`s meticulous review of judicial findings is not merely a formality; it is a critical process by which the NHL evaluates whether the players` actions, even if not criminal, violated the league`s internal policies on player conduct, integrity, and public image. The absence of an official ruling from the league means that for Formenton and his four counterparts, the highest echelon of professional hockey remains tantalizingly out of reach.
In the grand theater of professional sports, where public perception often holds sway equal to or even greater than legal precedent, Alex Formenton`s situation serves as a stark reminder. He has achieved a significant legal victory, yet his path back to the NHL is still mired in a complex institutional deliberation. His signing with Ambri-Piotta is a testament to his resilience and desire to play, but it also underscores the protracted nature of his professional purgatory, a waiting game for a final decision that will ultimately define the next chapter of his hockey career.
