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Tom Banks
September 6, 2025  (2:48 PM)

Alex Formenton, formerly of the Ottawa Senators.

Photo credit: Sportsnet

The 2018 WJC scandal with Team Canada is one that rocked the hockey world, and now Alex Formenton has officially returned to hockey, signing overseas.

The biggest story in hockey in recent years has been the scandal involving members of Team Canada’s World Junior team from 2018, but now, all the people involved have been officially cleared.

That doesn’t mean they’ve been approved to return to the NHL, but this has opened up the door to play elsewhere, with one player now officially returning to hockey overseas.

Formenton Back in Switzerland After 18-Month Absence from Pro Hockey

One player that played overseas after the five were banned from the NHL was Alex Formenton, who joined HC Ambri-Piotta for two seasons, and now, the 25-year old is officially back with the team.

In those two seasons, Formenton posted 20 goals and 26 points in 46 games played, and given that solid production plus him being cleared legally, it’s a move that makes sense from the Swiss team’s perspective.

Contract Runs Until December with Option to Stay Through Full Season

Formenton’s contract is a unique one however, as it runs through until December, but if he plays well enough, the option is there for him to remain for the entire season, with little likelihood that he returns to the National Hockey League at any point in 2025/26.

Now that the scandal is behind him, the 25-year old can once more focus on hockey, and if he can find his footing again after missing the entire 2024/25 campaign, don’t be surprised to see him draw interest in North America if a return becomes permitted by the NHL.

Previously on HouseOfHockey

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Member of 2018 Team Canada WJC Returns to Pro Hockey, Signs New Contract

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