Michael McLeod is a former first-round pick by the New Jersey Devils and has just signed a contract in the KHL despite assault charges laid against him. <a href='https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/latest-news/former-new-jersey-devil-michael-mcleod-signs-with-khl-team' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Michael McLeod</a> was selected 12th overall in 2016 by the New Jersey Devils, and has just signed a contract with the Barys Astana of the KHL over in Russia. The GM of the Russian team Oleg Bolyakin made the announcement on Friday, stating how satisfied and happy he is that McLeod will be joining their squad next season. It is widely expected that McLeod will have the role of 1C on the team. <q>Michael McLeod has signed a one-year contract with Barys Astana (KHL). McLeod, along with 4 other members of the 2018 Canadian WJC team, were charged by the London Police Service, following allegations for an incident during a Hockey Canada event in summer 2018. McLeod was charged with 2 counts of ***** ******, pending trial (which will likely happen in 2025).</q> <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/PuckReportNHL/status/1819351433071702437'> </a></blockquote></div> GM Bolyakin does not want to accuse McLeod of any wrongdoing as he has pleaded not guilty, so for the time being McLeod is being treated as innocent in Russia. The team also said they will make absolutely no further comment again on this matter. <q>Note: the following quote is translated from Russian. We are happy to fill the deficit position with a player of such level. MacLeod has played quite successfully for the New Jersey Devils over the last four seasons, bringing benefits on both sides of the ice, and he was among the NHL leaders in faceoffs won. Anticipating questions about the proceedings with his participation in Canada, we would like to say that Michael did not admit guilt and will defend his interests in court. In the future, we would like to refrain from commenting. Now, first of all, we consider MacLeod as the first center, who is capable of becoming not only the leader of Barys, but also one of the most recognizable players in the entire KHL. Bolyakin said.</q> McLeod is not the only one involved in this case, as four of his teammates from that 2018 Canadian team are also involved. The London, Ontario police charged all five players in 2022, following the details that occurred of that horrible night of a poor woman in a hotel room, following a team gala. The date for trial has not been set yet. McLeod played in 287 games in the NHL, scoring 29 goals and adding 56 assists. He also accumulated 164 penalty minutes. Source: Puck Reporter <a href='https://www.puckreporter.com/nhl/news/canadian-player-facing-major-charges-from-2018-wjc-scandal-signs-new-contract' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Canadian player facing major charges from 2018 WJC scandal signs new contract</a> Source: HockeyDB <a href='https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=177586' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Michael McLeod Stats</a>