One of the accused players from the 2018 World Junior case signs new contract!

Earlier this summer, reports emerged that Michael McLeod was getting a second chance at his hockey career despite having been charged, along with Carter Hart, Dillon Dube, Cal Foote and Alex Formenton with one count of sexual assault, with McLeod also facing an additional charge (being party to the offence) in the 2018 World Junior alleged sexual assault.

It’s alleged the incident occurred following a Hockey Canada gala in Ontario in June 2018, when the players were honoured for their victory at the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. Court documents from 2022 revealed London police believed they had reasonable grounds to accuse five players of sexually assaulting a young woman in a hotel room.

Since then, respective teams have cut ties with the players, however, it has been recently reported that McLeod has signed a new contract and will get to play the 2024-25 season with Barys Astana in the KHL in Russia, per Elite Prospects.

All five players, including McLeod, have defended their innocence through their lawyers, as their clients eventually pleaded not guilty.

It is not surprising to see McLeod attempting to pursue his career in Russia, where teams and franchises have much less scruples when it comes to hiring players with a criminal past or who are accused of crimes in North America. A month ago, another one of the accused, Dube, signed with Dinamo Minsk.

McLeod is only 26 years and was selected in the first round, 12th overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. He has recorded a total of 10 goals and 9 assists for a total of 19 points in 45 games in the NHL.

Do you believe it is fair that he gets to pursue his career despite heavy accusations against him in Canada?