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Greenlit to restart his NHL career after being acquitted of two sexual assault charges, Michael McLeod is heading to the Kontinental Hockey League.
The former New Jersey Devils forward is one member of the Hockey Canada 5, players from the 2018 Canadian World Junior Championships team who stood trial earlier this year amid allegations of sexual assault during their time on the gold medal–winning squad. All five men faced one count of sexual assault, while McLeod faced an additional count of being party to the offense. The judge acquitted them of all charges as she said she “found actual consent not vitiated by fear” and did not find the testimony of the woman bringing forth the allegations, known only as “E.M.,” credible or reliable.
The NHL initially did not open its doors to the players following the verdict. “The allegations made in this case, even if not determined to have been criminal, were very disturbing and the behavior at issue was unacceptable,” the league said just days after the verdict. The NHL said it would be “reviewing and considering” the judge’s findings.
In September, the league announced it would suspend the players through the beginning of this season, but allowed them to sign with teams in October and resume game play on Dec. 1. Four of the five players had been in the NHL before they stepped away from the league around the time the criminal charges were announced. McLeod quickly entered the conversation around potential signings, as well as goalie Carter Hart.
Even though the men were acquitted by the judge, the court of public opinion was not as forgiving.
Reported interest from the Hurricanes for McLeod, and later Hart, spurred Carolina season-ticket holders to contact the team vowing they would cancel their packages; fans cried out on social media; and one person created a Change.org petition against signing any of the five players, which received more than 1,700 signatures.
“We understand that [McLeod] was acquitted in court — but acquittal is not exoneration,” read one email sent by Hurricanes season-ticket holders to the organization. “Michael McLeod has done nothing to redeem himself, show goodwill, or make amends. … His signing would reinforce a toxic and perverse message: that abuse, aggression, and violence can be brushed aside.”
Last week, amid the fan pressure, league sources reported Carolina would not sign either McLeod or Hart.
McLeod will now head to Russia to join Avangard Omsk on a three-year agreement, returning to the KHL after playing there last winter. Defendant Alex Formenton signed a deal through December with Ambrì-Piotta of the Swiss National League, the same team he joined in 2022.
The other three players—Hart, Dillon Dubé, and Cal Foote—have yet to sign with any team for the season.
The fan response to the player signings is a continuation of the intense public scrutiny surrounding the case. The trial captivated the hockey world, seen by some people as a potential reckoning for the sport and its long history of sexual abuse. Throughout the trial, E.M. received widespread public support from protestors at the courthouse and advocates on social media. Despite the verdict that acquitted the five defendants, support for her has continued.
Conversations about a potential landing spot for Hart are ongoing. Hockey insiders have reported that the Vegas Golden Knights are among the goalie’s suitors. A similar petition urging the team not to sign Hart is still circulating, and has gained more than 1,600 signatures.
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