Bruins hire former US Attorney General to review team’s vetting process after Miller signing

In the wake of a controversial player-signing that resulted in the Boston Bruins releasing a player two days after they signed him, the organization announced Tuesday they are hiring an independent investigation firm led by a former US Attorney General to review the team’s player vetting process.

Former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch will lead the team of investigators reviewing the team’s vetting process. The announcement came just over a week after the Bruins released Mitchell Miller, a former Arizona Coyotes draftee who was convicted for racial abuse of a Black classmate with disabilities as a juvenile.

“The Boston Bruins strive every day to live our values and meet the high standards our associates, fans and community have come to expect,” the team said in a statement. “This includes treating everyone inside and outside our organization with dignity and respect. We recently fell short of our high standards and disappointed both ourselves and many in our community.

The Bruins released Miller following a wave of criticism from fans, players and media.

Bruins president Cam Neely said that the team “failed” in its decision to sign the defenseman, citing an oversight in their vetting process.

“We made a lot of people unhappy with our decision. I take pride in the Bruins organization and what we stand for. We failed there.” Neely said during a news conference less than 24 hours after the team decided to part ways with their controversial signee. “From a hockey standpoint, the scouts think he’s a player that can play. From a character standpoint, that’s where we failed.”

Miller was originally drafted in the fourth round of the 2020 NHL draft but was released by Arizona after a report by the Arizona Republic detailed the extensive bullying saga. Included in the report was Miller’s admittance in juvenile court to an incident where the future NHL-draftee wiped a candy push pop in a bathroom urinal and forced the victim to lick it, causing the victim to be tested for hepatitis, HIV and STDs. Surveillance video also showed Miller and another teen kicking and punching the victim. The victim also alleged that Mitchell repeatedly call him racial slurs during their time as classmates. Mitchell was convicted of one count of assault and one count of violation of the Ohio State Safe Schools Act in juvenile court.

Neely initially stated Friday that the team did extensive background work on Miller prior to the signing, but he walked that claim back after Miller’s release, questioning the process of those who were tasked with vetting the player.

“The fact that we didn’t talk to the [victim’s] family is concerning,” Neely said. “I made it clear that we had to vet this out properly...I’m disappointed that we are in this position. We shouldn’t be in this position. We could have done a better job. We should have done a better job.”

When asked about handing out a punishment for staffers who were involved in the vetting process, Neely said, “I have more work to do.”

After meeting with Miller and his family, Neely said he thought the 20-year-old was deserving of a second chance, but that the team should have done more before making him an offer.

“I felt that he was remorseful. I felt that he had changed. I felt at the particular time that a second chance was warranted...I misread that,” Neely said. “We didn’t have enough information. We could have dug deeper.”

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