Former NHL player Alex Formenton, one of five members of Hockey Canada’s 2018 World Junior team charged with sexual assault and awaiting trial, is suing his former agent for more than $20 million for negligence, breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty. He also said in the lawsuit that his agent “failed to provide him with any public relations support.”
According to the statement of claim filed with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in late September, Formenton, 25, said his former agent, Wade Arnott, of Newport Sports Management, failed to advise him properly when his then-club, the Ottawa Senators, made him a qualifying offer on July 5, 2022, that required acceptance by July 15.
Formenton’s statement of claim alleges that Arnott held out in negotiations, advising Formenton that “even without an accepted offer or extended qualifying offer his dealings with the Ottawa Senators was ‘business as usual’ and that Alex should rely on Wade and Newport Sports to secure a favorable offer.”
The Senators did not “propose or agree to a new offer,” the claim states, and, “Alex was ineligible to play in the NHL for the remainder of the season.”
Arnott did not immediately return messages seeking comment.
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The lawsuit makes no mention that Formenton was under scrutiny at the time for his involvement in an alleged group sexual assault that garnered international headlines.
The sexual assault allegations became public in late May 2022, when it was reported that Hockey Canada settled a lawsuit with a woman who said she was sexually assaulted by the players in a London, Ontario hotel room following a Hockey Canada gala at which the team was being celebrated for winning the 2018 world junior championship. The statement of claim did not identify the players by name, listing them only as “John Does.”
News of the settlement prompted parliamentary hearings with the Canadian federal government, as well as investigations by the NHL, Hockey Canada and the London Police Service. On July 22, 2022, police in London reopened its initial investigation into the incident.
Formenton was charged with sexual assault in January 2024, along with four other members of the 2018 Canadian world junior team, including Dillon Dube, Carter Hart, Cal Foote and Michael McLeod.
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In the statement of claim, Formenton also said that based upon his belief he would secure a new contract, he entered into a lease agreement with then-teammate Josh Norris to rent a $9,000-a-month Nepean, Ontario property.
“As a result of representations made by Wade that the Ottawa Senators would renew Alex’s contract, he incurred approximately $45,415.00 in rental expenses, in addition to other associated moving and insurance expenses,” the claim states.
In December 2022, Formenton signed a contract to play with a Swiss team, Ambri-Piotta, for the 2022-23 season. He alleges that Arnott indicated he may still be able to work out a contract with the Senators and “asked for a contract clause that would allow Alex to return to play with the NHL, should Newport Sports and Alex be able to negotiate a new NHL contract.”
“At no time during the contract negotiations with Ambri-Piotta did Wade advise Alex of the consequences or possible repercussions of transferring to a European team and the impact this may have on a continued career in the NHL,” the claim states.
Formenton took a leave from his Swiss team in January 2024 and returned to Canada, where he remains on leave. That same month, Formenton ended his relationship with Arnott, the claim states. Formenton has reportedly walked away from his hockey career and is working in the construction industry while living near Barrie, Ontario.
The trial for the five members of Canada’s 2018 world junior team charged with sexual assault is currently scheduled to begin in September 2025.
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