Michael McLeod, a member of Canada’s 2018 junior hockey team who was recently cleared of sexual assault charges, has inked a three-year deal with Avangard Omsk in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) based in Russia. The signing was officially announced by Omsk on Thursday through a post on the social media platform X.
McLeod, along with Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton, and Carter Hart, had faced allegations of sexual assault following an incident with a woman after a 2018 gala celebrating their team’s gold medal win at the Canadian world junior championship. McLeod was additionally accused of being complicit in the offense. However, all five players were acquitted on July 24 in a trial held in London, Ont.
Despite not being under NHL contracts, the players are currently serving suspensions from the league until December 1. The NHL has allowed them to sign with teams starting October 15 while awaiting full reinstatement.
McLeod, Dube, Foote, and Hart are unrestricted free agents, while Formenton is a restricted free agent with the Ottawa Senators. However, the Senators have stated that Formenton will not be returning to the team. Furthermore, it was confirmed that Hart will not be re-signing with the Philadelphia Flyers.
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 turning himself in to authorities in London. Last season, he split his playing time between Omsk and Barys Astana in the KHL.
Meanwhile, Formenton is currently competing with the Ambri-Piotta Hockey Club in Switzerland.