The Boston Bruins face backlash over their decision to engage Mitchell Miller, a 20-year-old defense attorney who admitted in court that he used racist language to bully fellow students. There is
Many Bruins fans, National Hockey League commissioners and Bruins players were thrilled at Friday’s announcement that the team signed Miller to an entry-level deal and assigned him to Boston’s AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins. reacted negatively.
“It’s not something that everyone in this room stands for,” said Bruins veteran forward Nick Foligno. Reporters at the team’s morning skate in Toronto on Saturday. “The culture that we built and the culture that they built before I came here is one of inclusivity. rice field.
Commissioner Gary Bettmann told reporters Saturday before the Colorado-Columbus game in Tampere, Finland, that the Bruins did not consult with the league before signing Miller, who is now ineligible to play in the league. If the Bruins decide to promote him, they will have to appeal to Bettmann before Miller is eligible.
Bettmann suggested that clearing the mirrors would not be easy.
“What I understand and have heard through the media is that what he did at 14 is reprehensible and unacceptable,” Bettmann said. He added: But at this point, no one should think that he is, or could be, NHL eligible. The Bruins understand it now. “
Whether the Bruins keep Miller or not, the signing has already scratched the legacy of the Original Six Team, which made Willie Ory the NHL’s first black player in 1958.
Patrice Bergeron Interview with Sportsnet In Toronto, where the Bruins were scheduled to face the Maple Leafs on Saturday, he said it was against Bruins culture to bring in a player with such a toxic record.
“We clearly stand for integrity and inclusivity and diversity,” said Bruins captain Bergeron. “That was the first thing that came out of my mouth. It kind of goes against what we are as a team and for me as a person.”
In 2016, Miller, who was 14 at the time, pleaded guilty to one count of assault and one count of violating the Ohio Safety Schools Act. He and another teenager were accused of feeding Isaiah Meyer-Crothers, a 14-year-old boy with developmental disabilities, candy after wiping it in a bathroom urinal, and surveillance video showed they Miller also used racist adjectives for the boy who was black.
Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said he had a tough time deciding on signing Miller, but indicated that other teams were also interested in signing him.
“If they’re willing to give him a chance, we all have to look in the mirror and say, ‘Why not give him a chance?
Before the 2020 draft, Miller, who is white, apologized in writing to all NHL teams, but not the victims. He said he apologized on social media, not in person, without being asked. Isaiah’s mother, Joni Meyer-Crowthers, said the other person involved in the attack apologized in person in tears.
The Arizona Coyotes drafted Miller in the fourth round, 111th overall. Arizona Republic After reporting on bullying and Miller’s conviction in juvenile court, the team waived his rights. Miller was playing for the University of North Dakota at the time. kicked the teamthat too.
In a statement released Friday, Miller apologized for just one incident.
“During my eighth grade, I made some very poor decisions and acted very immaturely,” the statement said. “I bullied one of my classmates. I have come to understand better.”
