Mitchell Miller signs with HK 32 Liptovský Mikuláš of Slovakia’s Extraliga
Former Boston Bruins and Arizona Coyotes property Mitchell Miller has signed with HK 32 Liptovský Mikuláš of Slovakia’s Extraliga.
The defenseman didn’t play at all last season after agreeing to an entry-level contract with the Bruins on November 4th, 2022. Miller’s contract with the Bruins was a three-year entry-level deal valued at an $861,667 cap hit.
Mitchell Miller has signed in Slovakia with HK 32 Liptovský Mikuláš. He didn't play at all last season after agreeing to an entry-level contract with the #bruins in November that was later terminated. pic.twitter.com/7LsXQ1WmOi
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) August 2, 2023Miller’s deal in Boston led to further criticism and comments from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, that the then 20-year-old defenseman would not be eligible to play in the league moving forward. On July 23rd, 2023, the Bruins officially cut ties with Miller following significant public backlash tied to the signing back in November.
Miller, 21, was originally a fourth-round pick of the Arizona Coyotes in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The Coyotes selected Miller despite knowing of his 2016 assault conviction for bullying a Black classmate with developmental disabilities in middle school. Arizona would go on to denounce the pick after the information was made public.
Miller has been met with consistent negative backlash from the hockey world due to a plethora of instances in high school of ableist and racially-motivated bullying of Isaiah Meyer-Crothers. Miller pled guilty to one count of assault and one count of violating the Ohio Safe Schools Act at the age of 14 due to his bullying of Meyer-Crothers.
Miller had apparently apologized to the family of Meyer-Crothers, which was the reason why the Bruins initially made the signing, but Meyer-Crothers later told the Bruins that it was only through social media. Meyer-Crothers released this statement on his experiences with Miller and Miller’s “apology” through the Hockey Diversity Alliance shortly after the Bruins made the signing.
After missing all of 2020-21, Miller returned to action in 2021-22, scoring 39 goals and adding 44 assists for Tri-City of the USHL. Miller won the top player and top defenseman awards after setting USHL records for goals and points by a defender.
Liptovsky Mikulas didn’t make the playoffs in the top Slovakian league last year, and was saved in relegation the year before. The team has not won a championship in either of the top two Slovakian leagues.