Michael McLeod, a member of Canada’s 2018 junior 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 the Canadian world junior team’s gold medal. McLeod had an additional charge of being a party to the offense. However, all five players were acquitted on July 24 in a trial held in London, Ontario.
Despite not being under NHL contracts, the players are currently serving suspensions by the NHL until December 1. Nevertheless, they are allowed to sign with a team starting October 15 as they await full reinstatement.
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 confirmed that Formenton will not be returning to their lineup. Additionally, the Philadelphia Flyers have disclosed that Hart will not be renewing his contract with their team, as per the goalie’s representative.
Hailing from Mississauga, Ontario, McLeod last played in the NHL with the New Jersey Devils. He took an indefinite leave on January 24, 2024, before turning himself in to authorities in London. During the previous season, he split his time between Omsk and Barys Astana in the KHL.
Meanwhile, Formenton is currently competing for the Ambri-Piotta Hockey Club in Switzerland.
