BOSTON - Bruins President Cam Neely announced today, November 6, that the Boston Bruins will part ways with Mitchell Miller.
Statement from Bruins President Cam Neely:
"Today the Boston Bruins have decided to part ways with Mitchell Miller, effective immediately.
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. 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.
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.
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.
We are sorry that this decision has overshadowed the incredible work the members of our organization do to support diversity and inclusion efforts. We will continue to stand against bullying and racism in all of its forms.
To Isaiah and his family, my deepest apologies if this signing made you and other victims feel unseen and unheard. We apologize for the deep hurt and impact we have caused.
Finally, as a father, I think there is a lesson to be learned here for other young people. Be mindful of careless behaviors and going with the group mentality of hurting others. The repercussions can be felt for a lifetime."
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from Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe,
Less than 72 hours after their controversial signing of Mitchell Miller, the Bruins Sunday night parted ways with the 20-year-old defenseman because of what team president Cam Neely noted in a 9 p.m. press release was new information.
Thus ended a startling and revealing episode in club history, one in which both general manager Don Sweeney and Neely appeared rudderless when NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Saturday that its possible Miller may never be allowed to play in the NHL.
Bettmans comments came one day after the Bruins signed Miller, a fourth-round draft pick by the Coyotes in 2020, to a three-year contract that would pay him a minimum $500,000 over three years.
The signing, which immediately set off a firestorm among many fans and media members, finally was renounced by Neely, who cast a contrite tone in the news release....
Its not a franchise afraid to take a bold, even controversial stance. But nearly 100 years into its history, it proved over the weekend that its in the dark ages when it comes to knowing its audience, the intelligence of its fans, the media, even its own veteran players, some of whom expressed dismay over the signing.
The Bruins told us Friday that Mitchell Miller can do better. Two days later they said goodbye. They now need to ask better of themselves.
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It was very Bruins of them to sign him, and even more so to credit the decision to move on based on "new information". No one is fooled, though I do wonder if they believe their own bull sometimes.
As a famous George once said, *It's not a lie if you believe it."
Perhaps hes not showing remorse, but if he is, doesnt someone deserve a second chance for a horrible, disgusting mistake they made as a middle schooler?
Based on available information, even the Ohio court concluded that he showed no remorse and was only upset because his reputation was damaged by the incident. Also, it appears that it was not an isolated event as his behaviour started when he was 7 or 8 years old.
I still believe that playing in the NHL is a privilege (despite all the bitching we do about the league and the commiss) and the the league has the right to decide whom to employ. I was disappointed that the Bruins offered him a contract and give kudos to Gary. The game is dealing with a lot of issues in North America (see Hockey Canada saga) and I think not creating further issues is a smart move.
Additionally, the Bruins locker room was not enthusiastic about the signing either. From an organizational standpoint, what is more important, gambling on a prospect with baggage or keeping your veterans and leadership group engaged?
Absolutely. IMHO, the Bruins caved to the media.
What else is new these days.
Only question now is Fieger Law or Sam Bernstien??
Either one will set the kid up for life. Since Lil Gary weighed in the NHL will be on the hook....oops.
Thanks Gary. Ass.
Maybe I'm alone here, but at what age are we at now when EVERYONE says you get no opportunity to redeem yourself? I know only what I read, and it really is terrible, but was punished, and more importantly he was in 8th grade, there are a lot of factors in life a not fully mature adult living what I assume is a jock life of that time period, i.e. not how society is today. Could be a product of terrible parents, terrible teammates/friends, terrible youth hockey coaches/mentors, plenty existed when I was a young hockey player, etc. or very well just grew up a Richard head on his own accord despite a great environment, but he was in 8th grade, can he not grow into a normal functioning adult?
He would not get tried as an adult for murder, because society recognizes he's not an adult, but in the world of sports he's convicted for life?
My thoughts exactly. Except that if a 14 year old was convicted of murder, they'd be out of juvi/jail with their records sealed at 18. I'm not clear why Miller's records weren't sealed.
But I really hope that the Bruins have to pay him for the length of the contract they signed, and it goes against their cap (tho I don't know if he was NHL bound at the time of the signing).
No problem with giving him a second chance if he shows that he is remorseful. After all, that is what a normal, functioning adult would be in this case.
The evidence appears to indicate that to date, he is not remorseful.
What evidence? I would agree with that, but the only thing I've read, is that the magistrate didn't think he was sincere when he wrote an apology letter to the victim when he was in 8th grade. Other than that, its been the victim's mother's personal opinion, she didn't feel he was remorseful and didn't like that he said it was a mistake as if it was a one time thing. Can't blame her, if that was my son, I would say eff him too.
Maybe there's something out there that I haven't read, or something the NHL is privy too if not... I mean if there's no credible linkage to him acting like a Richard Head closer to the age of 18, he may have a worthwhile lawsuit against the NHL and Gary Bettman personally, he'd have to consider it if they're saying his career is over.
Miller absolutely has a wrongful termination of contract case. If he was trying for a medical license or hell, a job as a cop, he'd have no problems. But hockey player is a bridge too far? This is the NHL and Gary trying to look good in the face of the Hockey Canada debacle.
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