Michael McLeod (ice hockey)
{{Short description|Canadian ice hockey player (born 1998)}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=June 2016}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2014}}
{{Infobox ice hockey biography
| name = Michael McLeod
| image = Michael McLeod.jpg
| image_size = 230px
| caption = McLeod with the Mississauga Steelheads in 2016
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|02|03}}
| birth_place = Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 2
| weight_lb = 185
| position = Centre
| shoots = Right
| league = KHL
| team = Avangard Omsk
| prospect_team =
| prospect_league =
| former_teams = New Jersey Devils
Barys Astana
| draft = 12th overall
| draft_year = 2016
| draft_team = New Jersey Devils
| career_start = 2018
| career_end =
}}
Michael McLeod (born February 3, 1998) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre for Avangard Omsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He was selected by the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the first round, 12th overall, of the 2016 NHL entry draft. He made his NHL debut for the Devils during the 2019–20 NHL season and spent the next five years with New Jersey. His career in North America was put on hold in 2024 when he was named in the 2018 Hockey Canada controversy and sexual assault, causing him to leave the NHL for the KHL.
Playing career
=Junior=
McLeod played minor ice hockey with the Toronto Marlboros of the Greater Toronto Hockey League. In 2014, he led his team to capture the OHL Cup and was awarded the Tim Adams Memorial Trophy as OHL Cup's most valuable player.{{cite web | url = http://www.thescout.ca/web/index.php/928-news-free/13736-michael-mcleod-wins-2014-ohl-cup-mvp | title = Michael McLeod wins 2014 OHL Cup MVP | website = thescout.ca | date = 2014-04-01 | access-date = 2014-04-01 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140419015337/http://www.thescout.ca/web/index.php/928-news-free/13736-michael-mcleod-wins-2014-ohl-cup-mvp | archive-date = April 19, 2014 | url-status = dead }}
McLeod was drafted by the Mississauga Steelheads of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in the first round (fifth overall) of the 2014 OHL Priority Selection, and played for them beginning with the 2014–15 OHL season.{{cite web| url = http://www.mississaugasteelheads.com/article/steelheads-select-McLeod-5th-overall | title = Steelheads select McLeod 5th overall | publisher = Mississauga Steelheads | date = 2014-08-01 | access-date = 2016-06-21}} McLeod was named an alternate captain during the 2015–16 OHL season and named the fifth captain of the Steelheads in the following 2016–17 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.mississauga.com/life/steelheads-pick-mississauga-born-star-mikey-mcleod-as-captain/article_e31a1861-af63-54ba-8680-e134f6e888a1.html |title=Steelheads pick Mississauga-born star Mikey McLeod as captain |work=Mississauga News |last=Colpitts |first=Iain |date=June 2, 2016 |access-date=January 27, 2024}} During the 2016–17 season, McLeod was named OHL Player of the Week on February 27, 2017, after registering five goals and 11 points in three games.{{cite web |url=https://chl.ca/ohl-steelheads/steelheads-michael-mcleod-named-pioneer-energy-ohl-player-of-the-week/ |title=Michael McLeod named Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week |publisher=Mississauga Steelheads |via=CHL.com |date=February 27, 2017 |access-date=January 27, 2024}}
=Professional=
McLeod was selected with the 12th overall pick by the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the 2016 NHL entry draft.{{cite web |last1=Ryan |first1=Chris |title=2016 NHL Draft: Devils pick Mississauga's Michael McLeod in 1st round |url=https://www.nj.com/devils/2016/06/2016_nhl_draft_devils_pick_michael_mcleod_in_1st_r.html |website=nj.com |access-date=January 25, 2024 |date=June 24, 2016}} On October 7, 2016, the Devils signed McLeod to a three-year, entry-level contract.{{cite web |title=Devils sign 2016 first-round pick Michael McLeod |url=https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/devils-sign-2016-first-round-pick-michael-mcleod-282474268 |website=NHL.com |access-date=January 25, 2024 |date=October 7, 2016}}
In a preseason game on September 25, 2017, McLeod tore his meniscus in his left knee and required arthroscopic surgery. When he was activated from injured reserve he was reassigned to the Mississauga Steelheads.{{cite web |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/ca/nhl/news/devils-prospect-michael-mcleod-receives-unexpected-opportunity-following-injury-new-jersey-mississauga-steelheads/1pu5madufboxj161o0pj0dc18n|title=Devils prospect Michael McLeod receives 'unexpected opportunity' after knee injury |last=Mahiban |first=Dhiren |date=November 28, 2017|work=The Sporting News |access-date=December 3, 2017}}
On April 3, 2018, McLeod was assigned to the Binghamton Devils of the American Hockey League (AHL) following the conclusion of his OHL career.{{cite web |title=New Jersey Assigns McLeod to Binghamtom |url=http://www.binghamtondevils.com/news/index.html?article_id=197 |publisher=Binghamton Devils |access-date=October 5, 2018 |date=April 3, 2018}} McLeod was recalled for the first time by New Jersey on November 29, 2019, following Jean-Sébastien Dea being picked up on waivers by the Pittsburgh Penguins.{{cite web |last1=Ryan |first1=Chris |title=Devils recall Michael McLeod after losing Jean-Sebastien Dea on waivers |url=https://www.nj.com/devils/2018/11/devils-recall-michael-mcleod-after-losing-jean-sebastien-dea-on-waivers.html |website=nj.com |access-date=November 29, 2018 |date=November 29, 2018}} He made his NHL debut the following night in a 6–3 loss to the Washington Capitals,{{cite web |last1=Stein |first1=Amanda |title=Devils downed by Capitals |url=https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/devils-downed-by-capitals/c-302480168 |publisher=New Jersey Devils |via=NHL.com |access-date=November 30, 2018 |date=November 30, 2018 |quote=Devils 2016 first round (12th overall) pick, Michael McLeod made his NHL debut against the Washington Capitals. McLeod, wearing no. 41, centered the fourth line with Brian Boyle and Miles Wood on his wings.}} and was sent back to Binghamton the following day.{{cite web |last1=Ryan |first1=Chris |title=Devils' lines, pairings vs. Jets (12/1/18) Will Butcher out; Michael McLeod sent down |url=https://www.nj.com/expo/sports/erry-2018/12/7d33d3317b8036/devils-lines-pairings-vs-jets.html |website=nj.com |access-date=December 2, 2018 |date=December 1, 2018 |quote=One day after making his NHL debut, Michael McLeod went back down to the Binghamton Devils in the AHL.}} McLeod got into 21 games with the Devils during the 2018–19 season, registering just three points (all assists).{{cite web |url=https://www.nj.com/devils/2019/09/why-a-refined-michael-mcleod-is-off-to-an-impressive-start-early-in-devils-preseason.html |title=Why a refined Michael McLeod is off to an impressive start early in Devils preseason |work=nj.com |last=Ryan |first=Chris |date=September 17, 2019 |access-date=January 27, 2024}} On January 27, 2021, McLeod scored his first NHL goal in a 5–3 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, his 39th game.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/hockey/news/devils-michael-mcleod-scores-first-nhl-goal/ |title=Devils' Michael McLeod: Scores first NHL goal |work=CBS Sports |date=January 27, 2021 |access-date=January 27, 2024}}
McLeod set a career high in points in a season during the 2022–23 season, registering 26 points in 80 games.{{cite web |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/devils-re-sign-forward-michael-mcleod-to-one-year-deal/ |title=Devils re-sign forward Michael McLeod to one-year, $1.4M deal |work=Sportsnet |date=July 1, 2023 |access-date=January 27, 2024}} On May 1, 2023, McLeod scored the first and ultimately game- and series-winning goal in New Jersey's 4–0 win over the rival New York Rangers in game 7 of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs.{{cite web |last1=Flannery |first1=Kristy |title=3 Observations From Devils’ Game 7 Victory Over Rangers |url=https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/game-day/3-observations-from-devils-game-7-victory-over-rangers |work=The Hockey News |access-date=January 25, 2024 |date=May 2, 2023}} He finished the playoffs with two goals and six points in 12 playoff games for the Devils.
McLeod signed a one-year, $1.4 million contract to stay with the Devils on July 1, 2023.{{Cite web |title=McLeod Signs One Year Deal with Devils |url=https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/mcleod-signs-one-year-deal-with-devils--release/c-345156274 |access-date=2023-07-11 |publisher=New Jersey Devils |via=NHL.com |date=July 2023}} On January 24, 2024, the Devils announced that McLeod and defenceman Cal Foote were granted indefinite leaves of absence from the team.{{cite web |title=Devils Statement on McLeod and Foote |url=https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/devils-statement-on-mcleod-and-foote-blog |via=nhl.com |publisher=New Jersey Devils |access-date=January 24, 2024 |date=January 24, 2024}}{{Cite web |last=Novozinsky |first=Ryan |date=2024-01-24 |title=Devils’ Michael McLeod, Cal Foote granted leave as 2018 Hockey Canada investigation heats up |url=https://www.nj.com/devils/2024/01/devils-michael-mcleod-cal-foote-granted-leave-as-2018-hockey-canada-investigation-heats-up.html |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=nj.com}} At the end of the season, in which he did not return to play, he had 19 points in 45 games on the strength of a career-best 10 goals.{{cite web |last1=Flannery |first1=Kristy |title=Former Devil Michael McLeod Signs With KHL Team |url=https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/latest-news/former-new-jersey-devil-michael-mcleod-signs-with-khl-team |website=The Hockey News |access-date=August 2, 2024 |date=August 2, 2024}}
On August 2, 2024, McLeod signed a one-year contract with Barys Astana of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), joining former Devils teammate Will Butcher with the Kazakhstani club to start the 2024–25 season. On October 18, McLeod was released from his contract with the last-place club following just 16 appearances and a team-best six points. Five more North Americans, including Butcher, were released by the club over the following month, a move that The Hockey News called "an apparent cost-cutting measure." On November 19, McLeod signed with another KHL club, Avangard Omsk.{{cite web |last1=O'Brien |first1=Derek |title=Michael McLeod Finds New KHL Team |url=https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/michael-mcleod-finds-new-khl-team |website=The Hockey News |access-date=November 19, 2024 |date=November 19, 2024}}
International play
{{MedalTableTop|name = no}}
{{MedalCountry|{{ihj|CAN}}}}
{{MedalSport|Men's ice hockey}}
{{MedalCompetition|Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament}}
{{MedalGold | 2015 Břeclav/Bratislava|}}
{{MedalCompetition|IIHF World U20 Championship}}
{{MedalSilver | 2017 Canada | }}
{{MedalGold | 2018 USA | }}
{{MedalBottom}}
McLeod was selected as the 13th forward to the Canada national junior team for the 2017 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. After an injury to Mitchell Stephens, McLeod took his place on the active Canada roster.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/michael-mcleod-step-in-injured-mitchell-stephens-1.3915708 |title=Michael McLeod steps into Canada lineup in place of injured Mitchell Stephens |work=CBC Sports |last=Mahiban |first=Dhiren |agency=The Canadian Press |date=December 29, 2016 |access-date=January 27, 2024}} He was one of seven returning players for the 2018 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.{{cite web |url=https://nationalpost.com/sports/hockey/team-canadas-next-household-name-will-michael-mcleod-become-a-star-at-the-world-juniors |title=Team Canada's next household name: Will Michael McLeod become a star at the world juniors? |work=National Post |last=Traikos |first=Michael |date=December 11, 2017 |access-date=January 27, 2024}}{{cite web |title=Rosters - Canada 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship |url=https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/team-canada/men/junior/2017-18/world-championship/stats/team-rosters?teamid=175 |publisher=Hockey Canada |access-date=July 20, 2022}}
Personal life
McLeod is the older brother of Ryan McLeod, who is a member of the Buffalo Sabres.{{cite web|title=Ryan McLeod |url=http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=271502|website=eliteprospects.com|access-date=March 5, 2018}} His other brother, Matt McLeod, plays for the Belfast Giants of the British Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL).{{cite web|title=Matthew McLeod |url=http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=205509|website=eliteprospects.com|access-date=March 5, 2018}} He is close friends with former Steelheads and Devils teammate Nathan Bastian.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/friends-mcleod-bastian-looking-to-make-impact-with-devils/c-290401420|title='Super Buddies' McLeod, Bastian look to make mark with Devils|last1=Morreale|first1=Mike G. |website=NHL.com|date=July 17, 2017 |access-date=February 8, 2024}}
On January 30, 2024, McLeod, and four others were charged with sexual assault after a 2018 alleged assault in London, Ontario.{{Cite tweet |last=Mendes |first=Ian |user=ian_mendes |date=January 30, 2024 |title=Lawyer for Mike McLeod confirm to The Athletic he has been charged by London Police. |url=https://twitter.com/ian_mendes/status/1752440840457216453 |number=1752440840457216453 |access-date=January 30, 2024}}{{Cite web |title=Lawyers: Flames’ Dube, Flyers’ Hart, Devils' McLeod charged with sexual assault |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/lawyers-flames-dillon-dube-flyers-carter-hart-charged-with-sexual-assault/ |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Sportsnet |date=January 30, 2024}} On February 5, the London Police Service announced that McLeod had been charged with two counts of sexual assault.{{cite news |title=2018 Sexual Assault Investigation |publisher=London Police Service |url=https://www.londonpolice.ca/en/news/2018-sexual-assault.aspx |access-date=2024-02-05 }}{{Dead link|date=March 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}
Career statistics
=Regular season and playoffs=
| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em;" | ||||||||
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! rowspan="100" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! colspan="5"|Regular season ! rowspan="100" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! colspan="5"|Playoffs | ||||||||
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! Season ! Team ! League ! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM | ||||||||
| 2013–14
| GTHL | 33 | 21 | 36 | 57 | 20
| 16 | 10 | 5 | 15 | 24 |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2014–15 | OHL | 63 | 12 | 17 | 29 | 33
| — | — | — | — | — |
| 2015–16
| Mississauga Steelheads | OHL | 57 | 21 | 40 | 61 | 71
| 7 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 6 |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2016–17 | Mississauga Steelheads | OHL | 57 | 27 | 46 | 73 | 49
| 20 | 11 | 16 | 27 | 19 |
| 2017–18
| Mississauga Steelheads | OHL | 38 | 16 | 28 | 44 | 34
| 6 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 11 |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2017–18 | AHL | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2
| — | — | — | — | — |
| 2018–19
| Binghamton Devils | AHL | 55 | 6 | 27 | 33 | 43
| — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2018–19 | NHL | 21 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 13
| — | — | — | — | — |
| 2019–20
| Binghamton Devils | AHL | 47 | 8 | 15 | 23 | 59
| — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2019–20 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 12 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4
| — | — | — | — | — |
| 2020–21
| New Jersey Devils | NHL | 52 | 9 | 6 | 15 | 42
| — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2021–22 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 77 | 6 | 14 | 20 | 52
| — | — | — | — | — |
| 2022–23
| New Jersey Devils | NHL | 80 | 4 | 22 | 26 | 43
| 12 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 15 |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2023–24 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 45 | 10 | 9 | 19 | 10
| — | — | — | — | — |
| 2024–25
| KHL | 16 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 16
| — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3"|NHL totals ! 287 !! 29 !! 56 !! 85 !! 164 ! 12 !! 2 !! 4 !! 6 !! 15 |
=International=
| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" ID="Table3" style="text-align:center; width:40em;" | ||||
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! Year ! Team ! Event ! Result ! rowspan="100" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM | ||||
| 2014
| Canada Red | U17 | 6th | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2015 | Canada | IH18 | {{gold1}} | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| 2016
| Canada | U18 | 4th | 7 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2017 | Canada | WJC | {{silver2}} | 7 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| 2018
| Canada | WJC | {{gold1}} | 7 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 |
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="4"|Junior totals ! 30 !! 6 !! 8 !! 14 !! 10 |
{{clear}}
Awards and honours
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Ice hockey stats}}
- {{OHL profile|6813|Michael McLeod}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-ach}}
{{succession box | before = Pavel Zacha | title = New Jersey Devils first round draft pick | years = 2016 | after = Nico Hischier}}
{{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:McLeod, Michael}}
Category:Binghamton Devils players
Category:Canadian ice hockey centres
Category:Ice hockey people from Mississauga
Category:Mississauga Steelheads players
Category:NHL first-round draft picks
Category:New Jersey Devils draft picks
Category:New Jersey Devils players
Category:Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in the United States