Acquitted but not cleared: NHL's Michael McLeod now linked to second alleged sexual assault case
The dust had barely settled on the controversial 2018 World Juniors sexual assault trial when a new storm began brewing, one that could once again put
NHL
forward Michael McLeod in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
Michael McLeod, once cleared in the 2018 World Juniors case, faces new scrutiny
McLeod, along with Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dubé, and Cal Foote, had been declared not guilty in a highly publicized sexual assault case involving a woman at a hotel during the 2018 Hockey Canada gala. Despite the verdict, the NHL quickly announced that all five players were deemed ineligible to return to the league. While the NHLPA continues to challenge that decision, the path back to professional hockey has only grown murkier, especially for McLeod.
Recent revelations have tied McLeod to another alleged sexual assault, this time from 2014. At just 16, he was playing for the Mississauga Steelheads in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Peel Regional Police have reopened an investigation into a disturbing incident that reportedly involved eight players and a then-22-year-old woman. Though McLeod has not been formally charged or identified as a suspect, he was part of the Steelheads roster during that season, placing him within proximity of the alleged event.
Ongoing 2014 OHL investigation reignites concerns over
NHL return eligibility
The woman at the center of the 2014 allegations recently came forward with graphic details, triggering renewed attention online and from fans. The case originally resurfaced in late 2024. But only in spring 2025 did the Steelheads' name emerge. And immediately raising questions about who might be implicated; that scrutiny intensified when McLeod trended on social media amid speculation over whether he might again be called to testify or defend himself.
NHL, NHLPA clash as more details emerge around former Steelheads player
While the other four players from the 2018 case might still have a shot at reviving their NHL careers, Michael McLeod's future appears far more complicated. Between league bans, potential witness roles, and the court of public opinion, the once-promising forward may find himself benched far longer than anyone anticipated. The investigation remains active, and if McLeod's name surfaces formally once again, his road back to the NHL might be shut for good.
Also Read:
NHL trade update, with the Oilers out, could the Senators be Carter Hart's NHL comeback ticket?
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