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NHL’s Boston Bruins signs player convicted of assaulting black classmate with developmental disabilities when they were 14-year-old high school students
The Boston Bruins have recruited defense attorney Mitchell Miller, who was convicted of assaulting a black classmate with developmental disabilities in high school.
The Bruins signed Miller to an entry-level contract on Friday after spending several weeks with the 20-year-old during an evaluation period.
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 that we as an organization take seriously,” Bruins CEO Cam Neely said in a statement.
“During this evaluation period, Mitchell was responsible for his unacceptable behavior and demonstrated his commitment to working with multiple organizations and professionals to advance his education and use his mistake as a learning opportunity for others.”
The Coyotes picked Miller in the fourth round of the 2020 draft, despite being aware of his 2016 assault conviction. The team parted ways with Miller amid criticism after learning more about his harassment from Isaiah Meyer-Crothers.
NHL franchise the Boston Bruins have signed defense attorney Mitchell Miller (above), who was convicted of assaulting a black classmate with developmental disabilities in high school
Miller pleaded guilty to one count of assault and one count of violation of the Ohio Safe Schools Act at age 14. He and another teen were accused of making 14-year-old Isaiah Meyer-Crothers (left) eat a candy after wiping it in a bathroom urinal, and surveillance videos showed them kicking and punching him. Miller sent a letter to all 31 NHL teams acknowledging what had happened and apologizing for his behavior. Meyer-Crothers’ mother, Joni (right), said Miller never personally apologized to Isaiah or their family except for a court-mandated letter
The University of North Dakota announced a day later that Miller was no longer on the school’s hockey team.
Miller pleaded guilty to one count of assault and one count of violation of the Ohio Safe Schools Act at age 14.
He and another teen were accused of making Meyer-Crothers eat a candy after wiping it in a bathroom urinal, and surveillance videos showed them kicking and beating him.
Meyer-Crothers’ mother Joni told The Arizona Republic that Miller began bullying her son in the second grade and using racial swear words.
Miller sent a letter to all 31 NHL teams acknowledging what had 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 has never personally apologized to Isaiah or their family except for a court-mandated letter.
“When I was in eighth grade, I made an extremely bad decision and behaved very immaturely,” Miller said in a statement.
“I bullied one of my classmates. I deeply regret the incident and apologize to the person.
“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 On Friday, Miller had reached out to her son on Instagram to apologize for 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 Defender of the Year after setting league records for goals and points by a defender.
The Bruins are back in NHL action tonight in the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“Representing the Boston Bruins is a privilege that we as an organization take seriously,” Bruins CEO Cam Neely said in a statement. Photo of the team in NHL action this week