Commissioner Gary Bettman has spoken out about the Boston Bruins’ controversial decision to give Mitchell Miller a second chance. In his opinion, the defenseman is not “eligible to play in the NHL. »
Posted at 2:17 p.m.
On Friday, the Bruins agreed with Miller. A choice that raised eyebrows.
He was drafted and later released by the Arizona Coyotes in 2020 after a story of bullying a young black developmentally retarded boy surfaced. The 20-year-old will report to their academy first.
Except that according to the words of commissioner Gary Bettman, Miller is not about to make the jump to the NHL.
We weren’t consulted by the Bruins when they decided to sign him. I’ve spoken to Cam Neely since signing. He’s not coming to the NHL.
Gary Bettman, NHL Commissioner
“He’s not eligible to play in the NHL and I can’t tell you he ever will be,” he added.
According to him, the acts committed by Miller in the past are “reprehensible” and “unacceptable”.
He believes that the day Miller knocks on the doors of the NHL, the league and the organization will have to find common ground.
He said the Bruins were “free to put him under contract, as long as he plays elsewhere. »
Bettman also said the Boston organization understands the situation.