Canadian hockey player Michael McLeod, who was part of the 2018 junior team acquitted of sexual assault charges, has inked a three-year deal with Avangard Omsk in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) based in Russia. The signing by Omsk was confirmed via a post on the social media platform X.
Alongside Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton, and Carter Hart, McLeod faced one count of sexual assault following an incident with a woman after a 2018 gala celebrating the Canadian world junior team’s victory. McLeod also faced an additional charge of being an accessory to the offense. The players were cleared of all charges on July 24 in a trial in London, Ont.
Although not currently under NHL contracts, the players, who are serving suspensions until December 1, are eligible to sign with a team on October 15 as they await full reinstatement by the league.
McLeod, Dube, Foote, and Hart are unrestricted free agents, while Formenton is a restricted free agent with the Ottawa Senators holding his rights. The Senators have stated that Formenton will not be rejoining the team. Additionally, the Philadelphia Flyers have announced that Hart will not be re-signing with them, as confirmed by his agent.
Hailing from Mississauga, Ontario, McLeod’s most recent NHL stint was with the New Jersey Devils. He took an indefinite leave on January 24, 2024, before surrendering to authorities in London. Last season, he split his time between Omsk and Barys Astana in the KHL. Meanwhile, Formenton is currently playing for the Ambri-Piotta Hockey Club in Switzerland.