The Boston Bruins have decided to part ways with controversial signee Mitchell Miller, team President Cam Neely announced Sunday. The organization originally announced the decision to sign the former Arizona Coyotes draft pick on Friday.
Miller, originally a 2020 fourth-round pick, had his draft rights relinquished after a report by the Arizona Republic detailed Miller’s extensive bullying of a Black classmate with disabilities. Included in the report was Miller’s admittance in juvenile court to an incident where the future NHL-draftee wiped a candy push pop in a bathroom urinal and forced the victim to lick it, causing the victim to be tested for hepatitis, HIV and STDs. Surveillance video also showed Miller and another teen kicking and punching the victim.
The victim also alleged that Mitchell repeatedly call him racial slurs during their time as classmates. Mitchell was convicted of one count of assault and one count of violation of the Ohio State Safe Schools Act in juvenile court.
“Based on new information, we believe it is the best decision at this time to rescind the opportunity for Mitchell Miller to represent the Boston Bruins. We hope that he continues to work with professionals and programs to further his education and personal growth,” said Neely.
Bruins president Cam Neely stated Friday that the team did extensive background work on Miller prior to the signing.
“The decision to sign this young man was made after careful consideration of the facts as we were aware of them: that at 14-years-old he made a poor decision that led to a juvenile conviction,” said Neely. “We understood this to be an isolated incident and that he had taken meaningful action to reform and was committed to ongoing personal development. Based on that understanding we offered him a contract.”
According to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman on Saturday, the Bruins did not consult the league prior to signing Miller to an entry-level deal.
“He’s not coming into the NHL, he’s not eligible at this point to come into the NHL,” Bettman said. “I can’t tell you that he’ll ever be eligible to come into the NHL. If in fact at some point they think they want him to play in the NHL -- and I’m not sure they’re anywhere close to that point -- we’re going to have to clear him and his eligibility and it’ll be based on all the information that we get firsthand at the time.”
In an interview with the Boston 25 News on Friday, the victim’s mother, Joni Meyer, said Mitchell only reached out to apologize last week. According to her, Mitchell reached out to the family through Snapchat and said the apology was unrelated to hockey- a notion she doubts.
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“I think Mitchell needs to be remorseful for what he did. And he’s not,” said Meyer.
Meyer says that Miller’s abuse of her son has left mental scares that may never heal.
“He’ll never be okay,” said Meyer. “This was was an everyday thing for 10-12 years of his life.”
“We owe it to our fans, players, staff, partners and community to make sure that our practices and protocols are in keeping with the ethos that we demand from ourselves and as an organization. As such, we will be reevaluating our internal processes for vetting individuals who wish to earn the privilege of playing in the National Hockey League for the Boston Bruins,” said Neely.
“To Isaiah and his family, my deepest apologies if this signing made you and other victims feel unseen and unheard,” Neely added. “We apologize for the deep hurt and impact we have caused.”
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