Intense backlash in Edmonton greets Oilers signing of Alex Formenton

The Edmonton Oilers decision to sign a hockey player who was acquitted last year of sexual assault has sparked a wave of disappointment and calls for the team to "do better."

The intensely negative reaction started rolling in Wednesday after the team announced it had signed Alex Formenton to a one-year contract worth $850,000 US.

Formenton was one of five players from Canada's 2018 world junior team accused of sexual assault, charges that stemmed from an encounter with a woman after a Hockey Canada gala in London, Ont.

"The initial reaction from the fan base has been really, from what I’ve seen on social media, pretty overwhelmingly negative," Daily Hive sports journalist Preston Hodgkinson told CBC News on Thursday.

"I remember the pushback for Corey Perry was one; Mike Babcock just happened this summer, even Stan Bowman. There was a lot of pushback for all that. This one seems more intense."

On an Oilers Instagram post about the signing, commenters said they were "embarrassed," "disgusted" and "disappointment." While some defended the Oilers' signing, many said they would not support the team as long as Formenton was on it.

"To the Oilers organization: you need to do better for your female fans," said a comment posted by @ireland1102 that had received more than 4,200 likes as of Thursday morning.

"This isn’t just about hockey, it’s about the message you are sending to the women and girls who wear your jersey, buy your tickets and have supported this team their entire lives."

One of the team's most high-profile fans echoed the sentiment in her own social media post.

"Although he was acquitted in court, I cannot ignore my conscience or what this decision represents to me," wrote Mary Loewen, who dresses up during NHL