Michael McLeod will continue his hockey career in the KHL.
Russia’s top pro league announced on Thursday that McLeod has signed a three-year contract with Avangard Omsk. He previously played 19 games with Omsk during the 2024-25 season.
The signing seemingly closes the door on McLeod returning to the NHL.
The 26-year-old took an indefinite leave of absence in January 2024 after he was charged with one count of sexual assault and one count of abetting the offence after a London Police Service investigation into events involving the 2018 Canadian world junior team.
McLeod, along with the other four players charged, was acquitted of all charges on July 24 but was later suspended by the NHL until Dec. 1. He has been eligible to agree to a contract with an NHL team since Oct. 1.
McLeod is a six-year NHL veteran who had 10 goals and nine assists for 19 points in 45 games in the 2023-24 season. The Mississauga, Ont., native was a first-round pick, 12th overall, by the Devils in 2016. He has 85 points (29 goals and 56 assists) in 287 career NHL games.
