Michael McLeod is making a significant move in his professional hockey career by returning to Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) as he has signed a three-year contract with Avangard Omsk, the club announced on social media this Thursday.
This 27-year-old forward was part of the Canadian team during the 2018 World Junior Championships, where he, along with four other players, faced charges of sexual assault linked to an incident from June 2018. However, all five players were acquitted in July after a lengthy trial process.
In light of recent developments, the NHL and the NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA) reached an agreement allowing these players to sign contracts with NHL teams starting on October 15, with eligibility to play in NHL games coming on December 1. The NHL issued a statement in September expressing concern regarding the players’ conduct despite their acquittal, indicating that the league would impose formal discipline.
As reported by The Athletic, there was interest from the Carolina Hurricanes in acquiring McLeod, but negotiations did not progress to a deal. McLeod was previously selected as the 12th overall pick by the New Jersey Devils in the 2016 NHL Draft. Over his six-season tenure with the Devils, he accumulated a total of 29 goals and 56 assists. Last season, he had an impactful performance in the KHL, registering 6 goals and 13 assists in 35 games for Barys Astana and Avangard.
Known as a power forward, McLeod boasts a solid career faceoff win rate of 58.3 percent, which adds to his versatility on the ice. As he embarks on this new chapter in the KHL, fans and analysts alike are hopeful that McLeod will continue to develop his game and further contribute to his team’s success in the seasons to come.