Bruins players questioned ownership over controversial signing
The Boston Bruins are facing a heap of criticism for signing defenseman Mitchell Miller to an entry-level contract on Friday. According to a report from NESN's Lauren Willand, some players were even questioning the move.
"(General manager Don Sweeney) held a press conference Friday afternoon after the news became official. Due to Miller’s past, many were wondering what made the Bruins want to sign Miller," Willand's report said. "Sweeney revealed he spoke to the leadership group of players and made them aware of the plan. Sweeney acknowledged some of those players -- who were not named -- asked, 'Why do this?'"
The 20-year-old Miller was originally selected by the Arizona Coyotes in the fourth round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The Coyotes soon renounced the selection though after it was revealed that the Ohio native had been convicted of bullying and abusing Isaiah Meyer-Crothers, a disabled black classmate when they were in middle school.
Among the details of the bullying and abuse were numerous instances of racial slurs being used. In the wake of the Bruins' signing, Meyer-Crother's family has revealed that Miller never apologized for his actions.
Miller issued the following statement in Boston's press release on Friday:
"When I was in eighth grade, I made an extremely poor decision and acted very immaturely," said Miller. "I bullied one of my classmates. I deeply regret the incident and have apologized to the individual. Since the incident, I have come to better understand the far-reaching consequences of my actions that I failed to recognize and understand nearly seven years ago. I strive to be a better person and positively contribute to society. As a member of the Bruins organization, I will continue to participate in community programs to both educate myself and share my mistakes with others to show what a negative impact those actions can have on others. To be clear, what I did when I was 14 years old was wrong and unacceptable. There is no place in this world for being disrespectful to others and I pledge to use this opportunity to speak out against mistreating others."
The Bruins said in their statement Friday that they spent the past few weeks with Miller to "better understand who he is as an individual." The team also said that he was accountable for his previous actions during this time and demonstrated a willingness "to work with multiple organizations and professionals to further his education and use his mistake as a teachable moment for others."
Per Willand's report, Miller will report to Providence and Sweeney said he will need to “earn the right” to play in the NHL.
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