Gary Bettman — Bruins signee Mitchell Miller ‘not eligible’

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman mentioned Saturday the Boston Bruins didn’t seek the advice of the league earlier than signing Mitchell Miller and that he would “have to see an entire bunch of issues” going ahead.

Bettman’s feedback got here a day after the Bruins introduced they signed Miller, a prospect defenseman, to an entry-level contract. Miller was a fourth-round choose by the Arizona Coyotes in 2020 till his draft rights have been relinquished after a narrative was revealed about how he and one other classmate have been convicted of assaulting and bullying a Black developmentally disabled classmate.

The report revealed how Miller, now 20, and one other center faculty classmate have been convicted in juvenile courtroom in 2016 for racially abusing and bullying Isaiah Meyer-Crothers. Within the report, Meyer-Crothers’ mother alleged Miller started abusing her son in second grade whereas utilizing repeated racial epithets.

Bettman mentioned what he had heard anecdotally and understood by media experiences about what Miller did was “reprehensible, unacceptable.” He mentioned the Bruins didn’t seek the advice of the league however he has since spoken with group president Cam Neely.

“He isn’t coming into the NHL, he is not eligible at this level to return into the NHL,” Bettman mentioned. “I am unable to inform you that he’ll ever be eligible to return into the NHL. If in truth sooner or later they assume they need him to play within the NHL — and I am undecided they’re anyplace near that time — we’ll need to clear him and his eligibility and it will be primarily based on all the knowledge that we get firsthand on the time.”

Bettman mentioned the Bruins have been free to signal Miller to play elsewhere, a reference to the very fact Miller was despatched to play for the Bruins’ AHL affiliate, the Windfall Bruins. However then added that, “no one ought to assume at this level he’s or might ever be NHL eligible and the Bruins perceive that now.”

Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron, ahead Nick Foligno and coach Jim Montgomery addressed the scenario with Miller following morning skate in Toronto forward of their sport towards the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“The tradition we constructed right here goes towards that kind of habits,” Bergeron advised reporters. “We’re a group constructed with character and character individuals. What he did is unacceptable, and we do not stand by that. On this locker room, we’re all about inclusion, range, respect. These are key phrases and core values that we now have.

“We count on guys to put on this jersey to be excessive character individuals with integrity and respect. Hopefully there’s development and alter.”

Bergeron mentioned if Miller was the identical individual he was a 14-year-old who bullied Meyer-Crothers that, “he wouldn’t be accepted and wished and welcomed.” He mentioned the Bruins’ tradition will not be going to alter and the adjustments, “are from the person himself.”

Foligno mentioned it was “a tricky factor” for the group to listen to after studying the Bruins had signed Miller.

“I am not going misinform you,” Foligno mentioned. “I do not assume any man was too glad due to how proud we’re to say that this can be a group that cares loads about ourselves and the way we feature ourselves and the way we deal with individuals.”

Montgomery, who’s in his first season with the group, mentioned he doesn’t know Miller however added what he did was “a reprehensible act” and that it’s as much as Miller to indicate everybody that he’s doing the best issues going ahead.

ESPN’s Kristen Shilton contributed to this report