McLeod requested and was granted an indefinite leave of absence from the New Jersey Devils on Jan. 24.

New Jersey Devils forward Michael McLeod has been charged with sexual assault. 

On Jan. 30, Ian Mendes of The Athletic released a statement his company received from David Humphrey and Seth Weinstein of Greenspan Humphrey Weinstein who are representing McLeod. 

"We are the lawyers representing Mike McLeod. We can now confirm that more than five and a half years after EM's initial complaint to police, the London Police Service has charged Mike McLeod with sexual assault. Mr. McLeod denies any criminal wrongdoing. He will be pleading not guilty and will vigorously defend the case. None of the evidence has been presented, let alone tested in court. We ask that the public respect Mr. McLeod's privacy, and his family's privacy. 

“Because the matter is now before the court, we will not comment further at this time."

Earlier in the day, TSN Senior Correspondent Rick Westhead reported Devils' McLeod, teammate Cal Foote, Philadelphia Flyers' Carter Hart, Calgary Flames' Dillon Dube, and former NHLer Alex Formenton, have been directed to surrender to police in London, Ont., to be charged with sexual assault.

The five players are accused of sexually assaulting a woman at a London hotel on June 19, 2018, following a Hockey Canada Foundation golf and gala event.

None of the allegations against the players have been proven, and the London Police Service will hold a press conference on Monday, Feb. 5, to update the public on the case. 

The New Jersey Devils have no additional comments at this time.