The Boston Bruins parted methods Sunday with Mitchell Miller, the questionable defenseman they had signed to an entry-level agreement on Friday, and provided a public apology to the victim of his bullying.
Miller, when he was 14, had confessed in an Ohio juvenile court to bullying a Black schoolmate who had developmental impairments. The schoolmate, Isaiah Meyer-Crothers, was deceived into licking a sweet push pop that Miller and another youngboy had cleaned in a restroom urinal. The victim likewise informed the Arizona Republic that Miller had utilized racial slurs around him.
“To Isaiah and his household, my inmost apologies if this finalizing made you and other victims feel hidden and unheard,” Bruins president Cam Neely stated in a declaration. “We saysorry for the deep hurt and effect we haveactually triggered.”
The finalizing had produced instant backlash, with Bruins gamers questioning the relocation and commissioner Gary Bettman stating that Miller, 20, wasn’t eligible to play in the NHL.
OPINION: Bruins finalizing Mitchell Miller reveals hockey culture still has long method to go
General supervisor Don Sweeney stated Friday that Miller had saidsorry to Meyer-Crothers and would getin neighborhood programs to inform him “about what being ill-mannered does for you.”
But Meyer-Crothers’ mom, Joni, informed WBZ Friday that Miller had bullied her kid for years and that the gamer had reached out just last week through Instagram.
Neely stated the deal was made to Miller duetothefactthat they thought the event at 14 was an separated one and he hadactually taken significant efforts to reform himself.
“Based on brand-new details, we think it is the finest choice at this time to rescind the chance for Mitchell Miller to represent the Boston Bruins,” Neely stated. “We hope that he continues to work with experts and programs to evenmore his education and individual development.”
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