‘No means no’: Protesters gather outside Rogers Place in a show of anger over Formenton signing

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeLocal NewsNHL ‘No means no’: Protesters gather outside Rogers Place in a show of anger over Formenton signing "We are not alone, and our voices matter" Mama Stanley Author of the article: By Steven Sandor Published Sep 19, 2026 Last updated 5 minutes ago 4 minute read Join the conversation A few hundred people gathered across from Rogers Place to rally for survivors of sexual assault and their dissatisfaction with the Edmonton Oilers signing of Alex Formenton on Saturday, September 19, 2026. Photos by Shaughn Butts - Postmedia PHOTO BY SHAUGHN BUTTS /Postmedia Article content Mama Stanley arrived fashionably late, about 15 minutes after the posted start time. She wore her trademark silver sequined dress, with the matching bowl on her head. She wore a necklace with a large “believe” pendant. Before speaking to the crowd, she had a helper touch up the silver makeup on her face. Article content A group of 100 protesters met her in a procession line across the street from Rogers Place Saturday night, where the Edmonton Oilers were to meet the Winnipeg Jets to begin their home pre-season schedule. Mama Stanley, who for years has been maybe the most recognized superfan in Oil Country, walked the line and hugged supporters. She shook hands as the chants rang out: Article content Article content Article content “Formie’s got to go, no means no.” Article content Headline News Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content The “Formie” in question is Alex Formenton, the speedy forward who the Oilers signed as a free agent and made his pre-season debut Saturday, scoring his first goal as an Oilers forward on a second-period breakaway. He is making an NHL comeback with the Oilers after being found not guilty of an alleged sexual assault in a London, Ont., hotel room. Article content The protesters’ signs were not forgiving of Formenton or the Oilers’ decision to sign him. Article content “Acquitted does not equal innocent.” “Drunk isn’t consent.” “Acquitted fourth liner over lifelong fans … really, Bowman?” Article content The rage was not echoed inside of Rogers Place. In the arena, not one fan heeded a protester’s call to “show that m—f— that no means no.” His first shift…