Ex-Senators forward Alex Formenton files $20.5M suit against former agent

Former Ottawa Senators forward Alex Formenton has filed a lawsuit against his former representatives.

The $20.5 million lawsuit names agent Wade Arnott and player agency Newport Sports Management Inc., alleging negligence, breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty.

Formenton is one of five one-time NHL players charged with sexual assault in a high-profile case in London, Ont.

The 25-year-old alleges in the suit filed in Ontario Superior Court in Toronto last week he lost income from the 2022-23 and 2023-24 NHL seasons, plus future income, because of Arnott and Newport's misconduct. Formenton has asked the court to award him $20 million in damages and a further $500,000 in punitive damages.

The allegations have not been tested in court. Neither the founder of Newport Sports, Don Meehan, or Arnott responded to requests for comment from The Canadian Press.

Formenton, Dillon Dube, Carter Hart, Michael McLeod and Cal Foote — all former members of Canada's world junior team — were charged earlier this year in connection with an alleged sexual assault in London in 2018. All five plan to defend themselves against the allegations and have opted for a jury trial.

Toronto-based Newport, which dubs itself "the premier representation and management agency of professional hockey athletes," has a stable of high-profile clients, including Connor Bedard, Erik Karlsson, Rasmus Dahlin, Steven Stamkos, Brad Marchand, Jacob Markstrom, Sam Reinhart, and Brady and Matthew Tkachuk.

A second-round pick by Ottawa in 2017, Formenton's lawsuit states, "As his agent, Wade and Newport Sports owed Alex a duty of care."

"At all material times, they were negligent in exercising their duties as agent to Alex and did not meet the required standard