NHL’s Boston Bruins sign player convicted of assault on black classmate with developmental disabilities when they were 14-year-old junior high students
The Boston Bruins have signed defenseman Mitchell Miller, who was convicted of assaulting a black classmate with developmental disabilities in middle school.
The Bruins signed Miller to an entry-level contract on Friday after spending several weeks during an evaluation period with the 20-year-old.
Miller said he would continue to participate in community programs to educate himself and share his mistakes with others.
‘Representing the Boston Bruins is a privilege we take seriously as an organization,’ Bruins general manager Cam Neely said in a statement.
‘During this evaluation period, Mitchell was accountable for his unacceptable behavior and demonstrated his commitment to work with multiple organizations and professionals to further his education and use his mistake as a teachable moment for others.’
The Coyotes picked Miller in the fourth round of the 2020 draft despite knowing of his 2016 assault conviction. The team parted ways with Miller amid criticism after learning more about his bullying of Isaiah Meyer-Crothers.
NHL franchise the Boston Bruins have signed defenseman Mitchell Miller (above), who was convicted of assaulting a black classmate with developmental disabilities in middle school
Miller pleaded guilty at age 14 to one count of assault and one count of violation of the Ohio Safe Schools Act. He and another teenager were accused of making 14-year-old Isaiah Meyer-Crothers (left) eat a candy push pop after wiping it in a bathroom urinal, and surveillance video showed them kicking and punching him. Miller sent a letter to all 31 NHL teams acknowledging what happened and apologizing for his behavior. Meyer-Crothers’s mother, Joni (right), said Miller never personally apologized to Isaiah or their family other than a court-mandated letter
The University of North Dakota announced a day later that Miller was no longer with the school’s hockey team.
Miller pleaded guilty at age 14 to one count of assault and one count of violation of the Ohio Safe Schools Act.
He and another teenager were accused of making Meyer-Crothers eat a candy push pop after wiping it in a bathroom urinal, and surveillance video showed them kicking and punching him.
Meyer-Crothers’ mother Joni told The Arizona Republic that Miller started bullying her son in second grade and used racial epithets.
Miller sent a letter to all 31 NHL teams acknowledging what happened and apologizing for his behavior.
The incident took place at McCord Junior High School in Sylvania, Ohio near Toledo
Joni Meyer-Crothers said Miller never personally apologized to Isaiah or their family other than a court-mandated letter.
‘When I was in eighth grade, I made an extremely poor decision and acted very immaturely,’ Miller said in a statement.
‘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.’
Joni Meyer-Crothers revealed in an interview with CBS Boston News Friday that Miller had reached out to her son on Instagram to say sorry before his deal.
Miller sat out the 2020-21 season before scoring 39 goals with 44 assists for Tri-City of the USHL in 2021-22.
He was named the USHL’s player and defenseman of the year after setting league records for goals and points by a defenseman.
The Bruins are back in NHL action tonight at the Toronto Maple Leafs.
‘Representing the Boston Bruins is a privilege we take seriously as an organization,’ Bruins general manager Cam Neely said in a statement. Pictured the team in NHL action this week