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 based in Russia. The signing was officially confirmed by Omsk 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 was additionally accused of complicity 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 by the NHL until December 1. Nonetheless, the league has granted them permission to sign with a team starting October 15 while they await full reinstatement.
McLeod, Dube, Foote, and Hart are unrestricted free agents, whereas Formenton is a restricted free agent with his rights retained by the Ottawa Senators, who have stated that Formenton will not be returning to the team. The Philadelphia Flyers have also announced that Hart will not be re-signing with their organization as confirmed by the goaltender’s agent.
Hailing from Mississauga, Ontario, McLeod last competed in the NHL with New Jersey. He took an indefinite leave on January 24, 2024, prior to surrendering to authorities in London. During the last season, he split his playing time between Omsk and Barys Astana in the KHL. On the other hand, Formenton is presently playing for the Ambri-Piotta Hockey Club in Switzerland.