‘I can’t categorically say this was the right decision’: Bruins sign former Coyotes prospect Mitchell Miller to entry-level contract

The Boston Bruins have signed defenseman Mitchell Miller to a three-year NHL entry-level contract.

Miller, 20, was originally drafted by the Arizona Coyotes in the fourth round in 2020. In October of that year, the team renounced the rights for Miller after it came to light publicly that he bullied an intellectually disabled child while in the eighth grade.

Miller was accused of calling the student racial slurs, physically assaulting him and forcing them to eat candy that had been wiped inside a urinal.

In 2021, the victim’s family said they had not received an apology from Miller.

“When I was in eighth grade, I made an extremely poor decision and acted very immaturely,” Miller said. “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. I strive to be a better person and positively contribute to society. As a member of the Bruins organization, | will continue to participate in community programs to both educate myself and share my mistakes with others to show what a negative impact those actions can have on others.

“To be clear, what I did when I was 14 years old was wrong and unacceptable. There is no place in this world for being disrespectful to others and | pledge to use this opportunity to speak out against mistreating others.”

In a team statement, Bruins president Cam Neely said Miller spent time working with Boston’s hockey operations and community relations groups.

“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 expectation is that he will continue this important educational work with personal development and community programs as a member of the Bruins organization.”

Miller last played for the USHL’s Tri-City Story last season, winning the league’s defenseman and player of the year titles. He also led all players with 39 goals and led all defensemen with 83 points.

Miller will report to the AHL’s Providence Bruins on Friday.

Speaking about the signing Friday, Bruins GM Don Sweeney muddied the waters. He claimed he “could not categorically say this was the right decision” and that the Bruins did not reach out to the victim’s family during the process.

The victim’s mother also told The Pipeline Show’s Guy Flaming Friday that Miller’s apology came in the form of an Instagram message and that her son had been subjected to “years and years of torture.”