The world of hockey was hit with a wave of uncertainty as Ottawa Senators’ forward Alex Formenton was granted an indefinite leave of absence for personal reasons.
The announcement, made through NHL insider Elliotte Friedman’s tweet, left Hockey Canada fans speculating about the potential connection to the ongoing investigation into alleged sexual assault involving members of the 2018 Canada World Juniors hockey team.
Friedman’s tweet revealed, “Per his Swiss League team, Alex Formenton is granted leave and returning to Canada.”
This development occurred amid updates from Hockey Canada regarding the investigation, which has seen several players, including Formenton, taking leaves of absence.
The situation has raised concerns and fueled speculation among the fan base.
The broader context involves an inquiry into an alleged sexual assault by players from the 2018 Canada World Juniors hockey team.
While the players involved have not been officially named, recent events suggest that Formenton is part of the group under investigation.
The unfolding scandal gained traction when the London, Ont., police found “reasonable grounds” to believe that five team members assaulted a woman in a hotel room after a Hockey Canada fundraising gala in 2018.
Initially closed by Canada Hockey in 2019, the case was reopened in 2022 due to public outcry and sponsor withdrawals.
On January 24, The Globe and Mail reported that five players from the 2018 team were instructed to surrender in response to charges of sexual assault. However, the players’ identities have not been disclosed, and they are yet to face formal charges.
Amidst this backdrop, Formenton’s leave from his Swiss League team, HC Ambri-Piotta, adds another layer to the unfolding saga.
The Swiss team issued a statement confirming that Formenton has been granted an indefinite leave for personal reasons and has been permitted to return to Canada.
This move comes as Formenton is in his second season with Ambri-Piotta, having failed to reach a contract agreement with the Ottawa Senators after the 2021-22 season.
Formenton, a second-round pick in 2017, has played 109 NHL games with the Ottawa Senators. Despite being on the Senators’ reserve list as an unsigned restricted free agent, his recent leave of absence from the Swiss club has sparked speculation about the reasons behind his return to Canada.
The situation has parallels with other players involved in the alleged incidents, such as Flames’ Dillon Dubé and Flyers’ Carter Hart, who also received leaves of absence from their respective teams.
New Jersey Devils players Michael McLeod and Cal Foote are among the others linked to the ongoing investigation.
As the hockey community grapples with the unfolding events, fans on social media have expressed a range of reactions.
Some pointed to the perceived knowledge within the league about the involved players, suggesting that there was awareness of their actions. Others expressed skepticism, with one fan even implying potential legal consequences for the players involved.
The uncertainty surrounding Alex Formenton’s leave of absence and its connection to the broader Hockey Canada scandal adds a layer of complexity to an already sensitive situation.
As investigations continue and more details emerge, the hockey world remains on edge, waiting for clarity on the identities of the players involved and the consequences that may follow.
