NHL: New Jersey Devils at Florida Panthers – Source: Imagn

Michael McLeod, the former New Jersey Devils center who is facing 𝓈ℯ𝓍ual assault charges in Canada from an incident in 2018, has signed with the Barys Astana in Kazakhstan.

The Barys Astana are members of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), a Russian-based league.

McLeod played six seasons in the NHL, and had his most prolific season in 2022-2023 when he recorded four goals and 22 assists, for a total of 26 points.

The Barys Astana currently hosts multiple former NHLers, including Will Butcher, Seth Rorabaugh, Nathan Beaulieu, and Wade Allison. McLeod joins them in his first season abroad.

Michael McLeod, Cal Foote and other players charged

Along with McLeod, four other former members of Hockey Canada, the Canadian national team, were charged with 𝓈ℯ𝓍ual assault from an incident in a hotel room in 2018. In January 2024, police also charged Cal Foote, Dillon Dubé, Carter Hart, and Alex Formenton with 𝓈ℯ𝓍ual assault.

Foote is a veteran of five NHL seasons, most recently with the New Jersey Devils, and is currently an unrestricted free agent. Dillion Dubé has played six seasons with the Calgary Flames, he is on “indefinite leave” from the team.

Carter Hart has been part of the Philadelphia Flyers over the last six years, his contract expired this summer, and he is currently an unrestricted free agent. Alex Formenton played four seasons with the Ottawa Senators, and signed with the Swiss team HC Ambrì-Piotta in 2022. He is currently on indefinite leave.