Michael McLeod (ice hockey)

Michael McLeod (born February 3, 1998) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who is a free agent. He was selected by the New Jersey Devils 12th overall in the 2016 NHL entry draft

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.

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. 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. 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.

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. On October 7, 2016, the Devils signed McLeod to a three-year, entry-level contract.

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.

On April 3, 2018, McLeod was assigned to the Binghamton Devils of the American Hockey League (AHL) following the conclusion of his OHL career. 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. He made his NHL debut the following night in a 6–3 loss to the Washington Capitals, and was sent back to Binghamton the following day. McLeod got into 21 games with the Devils during the 2018–19 season, registering just three points (all assists). On January 27, 2021, McLeod scored his first NHL goal in a 5–3 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, his 39th game.

McLeod set a career high in points in a season during the 2022–23 season, registering 26 points in 80 games. 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. 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. On January 24, 2024, the Devils announced that McLeod and defenceman Cal Foote were granted indefinite leaves of absence from the team.

International play
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. He was one of seven returning players for the 2018 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.

Personal life
McLeod is the older brother of Ryan McLeod, who is a member of the Buffalo Sabres. His other brother, Matt McLeod, plays for the Belfast Giants of the British Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL). He is close friends with former Steelheads and Devils teammate Nathan Bastian.

On January 30, 2024, McLeod, and four others were charged with sexual assault after a 2018 alleged assault in London, Ontario. On February 5, the London Police Service announced that McLeod had been charged with two counts of sexual assault.