Alex Formenton signs with Swiss hockey club, still ineligible to play in NHL

Alex Formenton has returned to professional hockey after signing with HC Ambri-Piotta on Saturday, the team announced on its website.

The deal runs through the international break at the end of December and includes an option through the end of the 2025-26 season.

“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,” the team said in a statement. “The Leventina club is delighted with his return and looks forward to welcoming him back to the ice of the Gottardo Arena.”

Formenton, 25, along with Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Dillon Dube and Cal Foote were charged with sexual assault in connection with an alleged incident after a Hockey Canada event in London, Ont., in June 2018.

The five players were acquitted of all charges on July 24 by Justice Maria Carroccia after a two-month trial in London, Ont.

After the verdict, the NHL stated all five players — none of whom have contracts with NHL teams — weren’t eligible to play while it reviewed the judge’s findings.

The NHL stated the allegations in the case were “very disturbing,” even if not deemed criminal. The league also called the behaviour of the players “unacceptable.”

“We will be reviewing and considering the judge’s findings,” the NHL’s statement read. “While we conduct that analysis and determine next steps, the players charged in this case are ineligible to play in the league.”

The league has yet to announce an official ruling on the NHL eligibility of the five players.

This will be Formenton’s second stint with HC Ambri-Piotta, as he previously played with the team in 2023-24. He was granted a leave of absence in January 2024 after he was charged with sexual assault.

Formenton was drafted in the second round of the 2017 NHL Draft by the Ottawa Senators.