Michael McLeod signs with KHL's Avangard Omsk after acquittal - ESPN

Michael McLeod, one of five Hockey Canada players who were found not guilty of sexual assault charges in July, has signed a three-year contract with Avangard Omsk of Russia's Kontinental Hockey League.

McLeod, Dillon Dubé, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton and Carter Hart were members of Hockey Canada's 2018 National U-20 Junior Team. They were criminally charged in early 2024 for an alleged incident that took place after the 2018 Hockey Canada Foundation Gala in London, Ontario. In July, Ontario Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia found the five players not guilty of sexual assault. McLeod also was acquitted of a separate charge of being a party to the offense of sexual assault.

The NHL said at the time that those players were ineligible to rejoin the league until reinstated through its own investigation. The league announced in September that the five players would be eligible to play in the NHL again beginning on Dec. 1.

«Taking into account that the players have been away from the game for 20 months — including since their acquittals in July — we have determined that the players will be eligible to sign an NHL contract no sooner than October 15, 2025, and eligible to play in NHL games no sooner than December 1, 2025, bringing their total time out of the League to nearly two years,» the NHL said in a statement.

The NHLPA said it was «pleased [the players] will have the opportunity to resume» their NHL careers.

McLeod, 27, last played in the NHL with the New Jersey Devils in the 2023-24 season. He played 19 games with Omsk in 2024-25, one of two KHL teams he joined as the Hockey Canada investigation and legal process played out.

Avangard Omsk is coached by former Tampa Bay Lightning and Ottawa Senators coach Guy Boucher.

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