The Boston Bruins have parted ways with prospect Mitchell Miller just two days after signing him, the team announced Sunday.
"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," Bruins president Cam Neely said. "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."
The Bruins faced plenty of backlash for the move due to Miller's troubled past. Miller admitted in court in 2016 to bullying Isaiah Meyer-Crothers, a Black developmentally disabled classmate who grew up with him in Ohio. Meyer-Crothers said Miller frequently called him the N-word and "brownie" throughout years of harassment.
In one instance, Miller and another classmate tricked Meyer-Crothers into eating a piece of candy they had wiped along the inside of a urinal. Meyer-Crothers had to be tested for hepatitis, HIV, and STDs.
Meyer-Crothers' mother said earlier Sunday that the only time Mitchell ever apologized was about a week and a half ago when he reached out via Instagram only because the Bruins told him they wouldn't sign him otherwise.
Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said that the team didn't speak to the Meyer-Crothers family beforehand but that the Bruins were involved in getting Miller to reach out to Isaiah.
Sweeney himself even admitted Friday that signing Miller could be the "wrong" choice.
Several Bruins players, including captain Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, and Nick Foligno, said they weren't consulted on the decision to sign Miller and weren't on board with the move.
Commissioner Gary Bettman said Saturday that the league also wasn't consulted and that Mitchell may not ever be eligible to play in the NHL.
The Arizona Coyotes originally selected Miller in the fourth round in 2020 but renounced the pick shortly thereafter.
"To Isaiah and his family, my deepest apologies if this signing made you and other victims feel unseen and unheard," Neely said. "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."
