Michael McLeod, a member of Canada’s 2018 junior team recently cleared of sexual assault charges, has inked a three-year deal with Avangard Omsk in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) based in Russia. Omsk officially announced the signing on Thursday through a post on the social media platform X.
McLeod, along with Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton, and Carter Hart, 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 faced an additional charge related to the offense. The five players were acquitted on July 24 following a trial in London, Ont.
Although not currently under NHL contracts, McLeod, Dube, Foote, and Hart are unrestricted free agents, while Formenton is a restricted free agent with the Ottawa Senators holding his rights. Ottawa has confirmed 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 per his agent.
McLeod, hailing from Mississauga, Ont., last played in the NHL with the New Jersey Devils. He took an indefinite leave on Jan. 24, 2024, before turning himself in to authorities in London. Last season, he split his time between Omsk and Barys Astana in the KHL. Meanwhile, Formenton is currently playing with the Ambri-Piotta Hockey Club in Switzerland.
