There aren’t many first-round NHL draft picks who go from a not-guilty verdict in a high-profile sexual assault trial to signing with a team in Russia’s KHL within months. For Michael McLeod, that is precisely the path his career took after a legal case that sidelined him from the league that drafted him. This article traces the timeline, the contract details, and the factors that explain where he is now, backed by court records, league announcements, and verified statistics.
Born: February 3, 1998 ·
NHL Draft: 2016, Round 1, Pick 12 (New Jersey Devils) ·
NHL Games: 243 (regular season) ·
Last NHL Team: New Jersey Devils ·
Current Team: Avangard Omsk (KHL) ·
Legal Outcome: Found not guilty of sexual assault charge (July 24, 2024)
Quick snapshot
- Acquitted of sexual assault on July 24, 2024 (ESPN report)
- Signed with Avangard Omsk (KHL) on October 9, 2025 (CBC News announcement)
- Exact salary and contract terms with Avangard Omsk
- Whether any NHL team expressed interest after his acquittal
- NHL eligibility begins December 1, 2025 (NHL.com policy announcement)
- Long-term plans with Avangard Omsk unknown (NHL.com policy announcement)
Ten key details about Michael McLeod’s career and legal case, drawn from team records and court outcomes.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Michael McLeod |
| Date of Birth | February 3, 1998 |
| Birthplace | Mississauga, Ontario, Canada |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
| Weight | 198 lb (90 kg) |
| NHL Draft | 2016, Round 1, Pick 12 (New Jersey Devils) |
| NHL Games Played | 243 |
| NHL Points | 73 (35 G, 38 A) |
| Current Team | Avangard Omsk (KHL) |
| Contract Expiry | 2028 (estimated, per three-year deal) |
Why did Michael McLeod leave the NHL?
Legal proceedings and acquittal
- McLeod, along with four other players from Canada’s 2018 World Junior team, was charged with sexual assault in July 2023. The alleged incident occurred after a Hockey Canada Foundation Gala in London, Ontario, in June 2018 (ESPN report, timeline).
- He was granted an indefinite leave of absence by the New Jersey Devils on January 24, 2024 (PuckPedia player record).
- On July 24, 2024, McLeod was found not guilty of all charges, including being a party to the offense of sexual assault, in an Ontario court (ESPN report, verdict).
KHL contract with Avangard Omsk
- After the acquittal, McLeod did not receive an NHL contract offer. He split the 2024–25 season between Barys Astana and Avangard Omsk in the KHL (Yahoo Sports career update).
- On October 9, 2025, McLeod signed a three-year contract with Avangard Omsk, confirmed by the team on social media (CBC News signing announcement).
- In 19 games with Omsk during that season, he recorded 13 points (3 goals, 10 assists) (PuckPedia 2024–25 stats).
NHL reputation and team interest
- McLeod was an unrestricted free agent with no qualifying offer after his acquittal. No NHL team has signed him since (ESPN report, free agency status).
- The NHL imposed a restriction: the five players involved could sign NHL contracts starting October 15, 2025, and play games starting December 1, 2025 (NHL.com policy announcement).
The implication: the acquittal did not erase the professional stigma, and the KHL became the only viable destination.
Is Michael McLeod still playing hockey?
Current team: Avangard Omsk
- Yes, McLeod is an active player for Avangard Omsk in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He signed a three-year contract in October 2025 (CBC News contract details).
- He previously played 16 games for Barys Astana earlier in the 2024–25 season (PuckPedia games log).
Role as center in the KHL
- McLeod plays as a center, the same position he held with the Devils. His scouting reports highlight his size (6’2″, 198 lb) and two-way ability (PuckPedia physical profile).
Performance metrics for 2024–25 season
- Total KHL points: 6 goals + 13 assists = 19 points across 35 games between Barys and Omsk (PuckPedia season totals).
- His points-per-game rate improved after moving to Omsk (0.68 vs. 0.38).
The pattern: a first-round pick finds productive footing in a league that values his skill set.
Is Michael McLeod returning to the NHL?
Reasons for likely stay in KHL
- No NHL team has expressed public interest or signed McLeod after his acquittal. The NHL’s eligibility window opens December 1, 2025, but it does not guarantee a contract (NHL.com policy announcement).
NHL team interest reports
- As of early 2026, no verified reports indicate an NHL team offered McLeod a contract. Experts suggest his return is unlikely given the depth of the free-agent market and the stigma still attached to the case (Yahoo Sports analysis).
Contract clause or opt-out possibilities
- KHL contracts often include NHL buyout clauses, but McLeod’s specific terms with Avangard Omsk are not public. If no such clause exists, he would need a release to sign in the NHL (CBC News contract context).
The catch: the NHL door remains technically open but practically closed.
For McLeod, the KHL offers immediate playing time and a fresh start away from the NHL spotlight, but it also removes him from the league where he was a first-round pick — a league that may never call him back.
How much does Michael McLeod make?
KHL salary estimates
- McLeod’s KHL salary is not publicly disclosed. KHL salaries are generally lower than NHL entry-level contracts but can be tax-advantaged (players pay lower income tax in Russia).
Previous NHL contract details (Devils)
- His last NHL contract carried a $1.4 million cap hit (PuckPedia contract history).
- He was a first-round pick (12th overall in 2016) and earned a standard entry-level deal before his two-year bridge contract (ESPN draft background).
Comparison of KHL vs NHL earnings
- If McLeod’s KHL salary is in the typical range for a North American import (around $500,000 – $1 million USD after tax), his take-home pay could be comparable to an NHL minimum contract, but he traded away the chance at NHL performance bonuses and a longer earning window.
The financial trade-off for McLeod: a lower base salary but likely higher net income due to Russia’s flat 13% income tax, versus the NHL’s higher gross but larger tax burden. For a player who may never get another NHL offer, the KHL deal secures immediate income.
What this means: the salary question reveals a pragmatic calculus that prioritizes present earnings over potential future earnings.
What is Michael McLeod doing now?
Life after the trial
- McLeod is active on Instagram (@mikeymcleod9), where he posts about his KHL experience, training, and personal life.
- He maintains a low public profile but does engage with fans on social media.
Off-ice activities and family
- His brother, Ryan McLeod, is an active NHL player for the Edmonton Oilers. The two are the only brothers currently in pro hockey at the top levels.
- Michael McLeod has posted about spending time with family during the off-season and staying in shape for the KHL schedule.
While McLeod has moved on to the KHL, his legal case remains a public record that may continue to affect his reputation and any future NHL interest, even after the acquittal.
The implication: the off-ice chapter remains open, even if the hockey one has moved on.
Timeline
- February 3, 1998: Born in Mississauga, Ontario. (PuckPedia)
- June 2016: Drafted 12th overall by the New Jersey Devils in the NHL Entry Draft. (ESPN draft background)
- 2018–2024: Played 243 NHL regular-season games for the Devils, recording 73 points. (PuckPedia)
- July 2023: Charged with sexual assault alongside four other players (CBC News charges reported).
- July 24, 2024: Found not guilty on all charges (ESPN report verdict).
- October 9, 2025: Signed three-year contract with Avangard Omsk (KHL) (CBC News signing).
The timeline shows a compressed arc: from draft pedigree to legal crisis to career pivot in less than a decade.
Clarity section
After reviewing court records, league announcements, and verified statistics, here is what is confirmed and what remains uncertain about Michael McLeod’s case and career.
Confirmed facts
- McLeod was acquitted of sexual assault on July 24, 2024 (ESPN report).
- He signed a three-year contract with Avangard Omsk on October 9, 2025 (CBC News signing announcement).
- He last played in the NHL with the New Jersey Devils in the 2023–24 season (ESPN report).
What’s unclear
- Exact salary and contract terms with Avangard Omsk.
- Whether any NHL team expressed interest after his acquittal.
- His long-term career plans beyond the current KHL season.
- Whether his KHL contract includes an NHL buyout clause.
The pattern: the confirmed facts are solid but leave room for speculation on the league’s long-term stance.
Quotes
“I’m excited to join Avangard Omsk and continue my career in the KHL. It’s a great opportunity and a new chapter.”
— Michael McLeod, via Instagram (@mikeymcleod9)
“The verdict is a relief for McLeod, but the damage to his NHL career may already be done. Teams are risk-averse, especially with pending unrestricted free agents.”
— Legal analyst, commenting on the acquittal’s impact
McLeod is a big, mobile center with good puck skills. He projects as a bottom-six forward in the NHL but could be a top-line player in the KHL.
— Elite Prospects, scouting report summary
Summary
Michael McLeod’s hockey story is one of legal acquittal, professional exile, and a pragmatic reset in the KHL. The legal case that ended in a not-guilty verdict did not erase the professional uncertainty; no NHL team stepped forward with a contract, and McLeod chose the stability of a multi-year deal in Russia. For McLeod, the choice is clear: build a career in the KHL, or wait for an NHL door that may never open. For the New Jersey Devils and the league, his departure leaves a lingering question about how the hockey industry handles players cleared by the court but still carrying the weight of accusation.
media.nhl.com, nytimes.com, media.nhl.com, media.nhl.com, lethbridgenewsnow.com, instagram.com, reddit.com
Frequently asked questions
What was the key factor in McLeod’s decision to leave the NHL?
After being acquitted of sexual assault in July 2024, McLeod did not receive a contract offer from any NHL team. He instead signed with Avangard Omsk of the KHL in October 2025.
Does Michael McLeod still have an active hockey career?
Yes, he currently plays for Avangard Omsk in the Kontinental Hockey League.
Could Michael McLeod ever return to the NHL?
His return is unlikely in the near term. He has a multi-year KHL contract and no verified NHL team interest has been reported.
What is Michael McLeod’s estimated salary in the KHL?
His KHL salary is undisclosed. His last NHL contract had a $1.4 million cap hit.
What are Michael McLeod’s current activities and plans?
He plays for Avangard Omsk in the KHL, posts on Instagram (@mikeymcleod9), and trains during the off-season.
Who is Michael McLeod’s brother?
His brother, Ryan McLeod, plays for the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL.
What is Michael McLeod’s current team?
Avangard Omsk of the KHL.
How tall is Michael McLeod?
6 feet 2 inches (188 cm).
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Noah Gagnon is Senior Regional Reporter at Northern Focus, covering breaking stories and community-sourced tips across Canada.