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Acquitted Michael McLeod Signs in Russia’s KHL; NHL Future in Doubt After Public Backlash

Shivansh Rana | 3 min read | 1 month ago | Oct 13, 2025 09:58 pm IST
Acquitted Michael McLeod Signs in Russia's KHL; NHL Future in Doubt After Public Backlash

So, what happens when a court says you’re innocent, but the public doesn’t agree? Canadian hockey player Michael McLeod is finding out the hard way. Just months after being acquitted of sexual assault charges, he’s signed a three-year contract with Avangard Omsk of Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) on October 9, 2025, in a move that’s stirring up a massive debate.

Key Takeaways

  • Legal Acquittal: Michael McLeod and four former teammates were acquitted of sexual assault charges in July 2025 in a London, Ontario court.
  • New Contract: On October 9, 2025, McLeod signed a three-year deal with the KHL’s Avangard Omsk.
  • NHL Status: The NHL has suspended the players until December 1, 2025, though they are eligible to sign with teams starting October 15, 2025.
  • Public Opposition: The Carolina Hurricanes reportedly dropped plans to sign McLeod after a strong public petition and backlash.

The Verdict vs. Public Opinion

Look, the legal facts are clear. Back in July 2025, a court in London, Ontario, acquitted McLeod, along with Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton, and Carter Hart, of sexual assault. The charges stemmed from an incident after a 2018 Hockey Canada gala. McLeod was even acquitted of a separate charge of being a party to the offense. Legally, he’s innocent.

But honestly, that’s not the whole story, is it? The court of public opinion is a totally different game. The Carolina Hurricanes were reportedly interested in signing him, but those plans got scrapped. Why? Because of a huge public petition and massive opposition from fans who just weren’t ready to forgive, even after the acquittal.

A Russian Lifeline

With doors seemingly closing in North America, McLeod has turned east. The three-year contract with Avangard Omsk is a significant career move. It gives him a place to play professional hockey away from the intense scrutiny he’d face in the NHL. For McLeod, it’s a fresh start. For critics, it looks like he’s running from the reputational damage that the trial caused, verdict notwithstanding.

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You have to wonder what this means for his career long-term. Is this a permanent move, or is he just waiting for the storm to blow over back home? Three years is a long time in professional sports.

So, What About the NHL?

Here’s the thing. The NHL hasn’t banned these players for life. They’re suspended until December 1, 2025. And they’re actually eligible to sign with an NHL team starting October 15, 2025. It creates a really awkward situation. Any team that signs one of these players knows they’ll face the same kind of backlash that scared off the Hurricanes.

This entire situation shows a huge gap between a legal verdict and public acceptance. It proves that even when the law clears your name, the court of public opinion can still hand down a sentence of its own. What do you think? Should an acquittal be the final word, or does the public have the right to hold players accountable regardless?