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Post by The OC on Nov 4, 2022 17:10:21 GMT
The Bruins have signed disgraced former 4th rounder Mitch Miller to an ELC. Headed to Prov. Miller was let go by Ariz and kicked off his college team when it was revealed he bullied a mentally challenged black kid when he was 14, making the kid eat a candy out of a urnal and using racial slurs. Thoughts?
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Post by thanx4memORRies on Nov 4, 2022 17:16:26 GMT
The Bruins have signed disgraced former 4th rounder Mitch Miller to an ELC. Headed to Prov. Miller was let go by Ariz and kicked off his college team when it was revealed he bullied a mentally challenged black kid when he was 14, making the kid eat a candy out of a urnal and using racial slurs. Thoughts? Tough one…. And not because he signed with the B’S….
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Post by kelvana33 on Nov 4, 2022 17:17:33 GMT
If I remember correctly, this was stuff he did in elementary school correct? I'll have to read up on it again, but I think he was real young. Montgomery knows a thing or two about second chances so he could benefit from that. I think he's paid the price, it's up to him what he does with a second chance.
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Post by sandogbrewin on Nov 4, 2022 17:22:19 GMT
Want to understand what Sweeney has to say about not talking to the victims family.
Does someone deserve a 2nd chance from what they did as a youth ? Yes
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Post by thanx4memORRies on Nov 4, 2022 17:31:13 GMT
If I remember correctly, this was stuff he did in elementary school correct? I'll have to read up on it again, but I think he was real young. Montgomery knows a thing or two about second chances so he could benefit from that. I think he's paid the price, it's up to him what he does with a second chance. He was 14
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Post by thanx4memORRies on Nov 4, 2022 17:36:17 GMT
Want to understand what Sweeney has to say about not talking to the victims family. Does someone deserve a 2nd chance from what they did as a youth ? Yes Who didn’t do stoopid stuff when 14, and older? Still, what he did was cruel…. I’m on the fence on this one….
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Post by seobrien on Nov 4, 2022 17:47:21 GMT
As I understand it, he never even apologized and has continued/s to use the N word after this incident. I remember the part about the parents blaming the victim (who is an emotionally challenged PoC).
Doesn't sound to me like this kid ever learned his lesson. I'm for second chances, but even at 14, to piss on a candy and make a challenged kid eat it and then call him the N word after the fact? That is fucking cruelness. N'ah, you count me out on this one. Maybe Marchand and Bergy can help the kid grow, but we've got a racist enough perception already in this town. This invites even more scrutiny that is unneeded.
Note* This is my opinion only.
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Post by sandogbrewin on Nov 4, 2022 17:59:04 GMT
Want to understand what Sweeney has to say about not talking to the victims family. Does someone deserve a 2nd chance from what they did as a youth ? Yes Who didn’t do stoopid stuff when 14, and older? Still, what he did was cruel…. I’m on the fence on this one…. One issue I have is Miller showed no remorse until his career was derailed. You are right it's a tough one. Not going over well with Bruins fans right now. Horrible timing Don Sweeney!
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Post by bookboy007 on Nov 4, 2022 18:21:22 GMT
Hard no.
There is an enormous and often ignored difference in this world between a second chance and escaping the full consequences of your actions. Do I think Mitchell Miller should be ostracized from society, refused the opportunity to work to support himself and his family, and shoved on an ice floe into the ocean to drown or starve? Maybe, but that's not going to happen my lawyer constantly reminds me. We are not talking about just "a second chance". We're talking about a chance to get paid millions, or even hundreds of thousands in the AHL, to play professional sports. That's not a right; that's an insane privilege. The second chance thing doesn't wash for me here, and I don't see the comparison to Montgomery. Montgomery had an addiction issue he had to address, and by all accounts, he accepted that graciously when the Blues removed him and did the work. His fault wasn't borderline criminal actions toward others.
The Bruins have built a culture around character. Why bring this kid into the system? I don't believe for one second that the Bruins are doing this like they're a warehouse business offering jobs to ex-cons. They signed him because he led the USHL in goals last year and was third in points. That's it. No other reason I can see. I read Neely's comments about him using his platform as a pro player to educate others, talk openly about his mistakes etc., and maybe over time that shows he's actually changed. But I would buy it more if he was doing that without needing the push of a $92,500 and a pro-rated $82K salary in Providence. You don't need to be a pro athlete to be part of that kind of anti-bullying campaign.
Even his statement is full of special pleading - emphasising it was seven whole years ago and he was in middle school etc. If your intent is to take responsibility and speak to how you intend to make amends, do that. The exculpatory details don't mean shit.
By signing him, the Bruins have un-done anything Arizona did by renouncing his rights. He wasn't going to play last year or this year anyway - he's a 4th rounder - and it further undoes the thought that the entire league was unwilling to overlook what he did by not drafting him the last two drafts when he was available. He's now UFA, and the Bruins sign him. From a hockey standpoint, he's not only lost nothing, he's moved from the bottom of the standings to the top, from an organization playing out of 5000 barn to an Original Six team in one of best hockey towns in the US. You can't even call this a second chance - he never had his first chance taken from him.
Guys have had their careers taken from them for far less than what he did. I think there's a much better deterrence message in him living with the consequences of his actions than in him walking around telling everybody bullying is bad, m'kay?
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Post by #4 Bobby Orr! GOAT! on Nov 4, 2022 18:46:12 GMT
FFS
Bullying is brutal and horrendously bad, yes, 7 years ago. Doesn’t make it any less, but obviously no one else has called him out for it over the last 7 years, or we would have heard it. No excuses but his behaviour has changed. Going through minor hockey he probably received or seen it on an every day basis.
This is nothing compared to the Hockey Canada Fiasco, where 18+ year olds assaulted some girl and paid her off. Total details are unknown but a couple of the guys are making huge dough including the Norris winner.
How are not all of these players that claim innocence not being called out.
Would I have been happy with any of my boys doing this absolutely not. It would have been dealt with and better me than the boss. She would be far harsher with either extreme. 2nd chance for sure. But his atonement would be hefty and better be truthful
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Post by 50belowzero on Nov 4, 2022 18:55:08 GMT
Looking at it from a hockey standpoint only was this player really needed? Another smallish defenceman who was a former 4th rd pick, i mean i realize his stats last season in the USHL weren't too bad but i don't get it. Ahcan must feel underappreciated.
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Post by moognoates on Nov 4, 2022 19:02:29 GMT
I am confused. If Sweeney was part of the process for him reaching out to the family, does that mean he only apologized to be able to sign with the Bruins?
Is this kid actually good? Why take on the bad press if he is just another random propect? Count me as unexcited for a 5'10" offensive defensmen.
The kid does deserve to move on with his life and work to support himself, but the Bruins didn't have to be the team to do it.
Weird signing.
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Post by 50belowzero on Nov 4, 2022 19:04:15 GMT
I am confused. If Sweeney was part of the process for him reaching out to the family, does that mean he only apologized to be able to sign with the Bruins? Is this kid actually good? Why take on the bad press if he is just another random propect? Count me as unexcited for a 5'10" offensive defensmen. The kid does deserve to move on with his life and work to support himself, but the Bruins didn't have to be the team to do it. Weird signing. That's exactly what i thought.
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Post by 50belowzero on Nov 4, 2022 19:27:14 GMT
Make of it what you will,
The 20-year-old defenceman spent last season with the USHL's Tri-City Storm, posting 39 goals and 83 points in 60 games.
"Representing the Boston Bruins is a privilege we take seriously as an organization," Bruins president Cam Neely said. "Respect and integrity are foundational character traits we expect of our players and staff. Prior to signing Mitchell, our Hockey Operations and Community Relations groups spent time with him over the last few weeks to better understand who he is as an individual and learn more about a significant mistake he made when he was in middle school. During this evaluation period, Mitchell was accountable for his unacceptable behaviour 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."
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Post by wayne on Nov 4, 2022 20:06:13 GMT
I dont like it and I dont see the need. I had forgot about this kid and didnt need to be reminded
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Post by wayne on Nov 4, 2022 20:28:25 GMT
The more I read about the more it reads like the kid is a psychopath and all he's done is probably learn to hide that part from public for his own gain
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Post by sandogbrewin on Nov 4, 2022 20:59:13 GMT
I am confused. If Sweeney was part of the process for him reaching out to the family, does that mean he only apologized to be able to sign with the Bruins? Is this kid actually good? Why take on the bad press if he is just another random propect? Count me as unexcited for a 5'10" offensive defensmen. The kid does deserve to move on with his life and work to support himself, but the Bruins didn't have to be the team to do it. Weird signing. Definitely wierd.
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Post by bookboy007 on Nov 4, 2022 21:29:09 GMT
FFS Bullying is brutal and horrendously bad, yes, 7 years ago. Doesn’t make it any less, but obviously no one else has called him out for it over the last 7 years, or we would have heard it. No excuses but his behaviour has changed. Going through minor hockey he probably received or seen it on an every day basis. This is nothing compared to the Hockey Canada Fiasco, where 18+ year olds assaulted some girl and paid her off. Total details are unknown but a couple of the guys are making huge dough including the Norris winner. How are not all of these players that claim innocence not being called out. Would I have been happy with any of my boys doing this absolutely not. It would have been dealt with and better me than the boss. She would be far harsher with either extreme. 2nd chance for sure. But his atonement would be hefty and better be truthful The Hockey Canada fiasco is going through due diligence; the actions and consequences here were known and stipulated to years ago on Miller. We'll see how some of the millionaires do when and if their actions are made public - if they did do the things they're being accused of. Due Diligence. Then the hammer or not, but with the relative certainty of evidence. You pay me $170K over the next 12 months and I too will go around to schools and act contrite about bullying. I'm not buying that his behaviour has changed. And you're probably right that this is learned behaviour. Monkey see, little fucknugget do. But to me a) figure out where he learned it from and make sure they know that the consequences he's facing are partly their doing and b) if the kid skates on real consequences, someone else is going to learn that lesson and think hey...I'll do some charity work if I get caught. All the pros do charity work anyway.
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Post by pletchner on Nov 4, 2022 22:46:38 GMT
I think what he did was as crappy as it comes. The kind of stuff that you hope there were other, older kids around to beat his ass when it became known. But he was 13 or 14 years old. Could he still be a crappy fuckstick? Yep. But if has learned enough not to do it again, it's not something that disqualifies him from having a life as an adult.
FWIW, I did a few pretty crappy things (one on a hockey rink, one in a locker room, one on a football field come to mind) when I was older than 14. I'm embarrassed by them. But I'm not that person - wasn't that person then. I just got pissed off and said/did stupid shit that I regret. But if those things had cost me the opportunity to have a life that I had otherwise earned, maybe I would have become that person?
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Post by islamorada on Nov 4, 2022 22:46:46 GMT
FFS Bullying is brutal and horrendously bad, yes, 7 years ago. Doesn’t make it any less, but obviously no one else has called him out for it over the last 7 years, or we would have heard it. No excuses but his behaviour has changed. Going through minor hockey he probably received or seen it on an every day basis. This is nothing compared to the Hockey Canada Fiasco, where 18+ year olds assaulted some girl and paid her off. Total details are unknown but a couple of the guys are making huge dough including the Norris winner. How are not all of these players that claim innocence not being called out. Would I have been happy with any of my boys doing this absolutely not. It would have been dealt with and better me than the boss. She would be far harsher with either extreme. 2nd chance for sure. But his atonement would be hefty and better be truthful The Hockey Canada fiasco is going through due diligence; the actions and consequences here were known and stipulated to years ago on Miller. We'll see how some of the millionaires do when and if their actions are made public - if they did do the things they're being accused of. Due Diligence. Then the hammer or not, but with the relative certainty of evidence. You pay me $170K over the next 12 months and I too will go around to schools and act contrite about bullying. I'm not buying that his behaviour has changed. And you're probably right that this is learned behaviour. Monkey see, little fucknugget do. But to me a) figure out where he learned it from and make sure they know that the consequences he's facing are partly their doing and b) if the kid skates on real consequences, someone else is going to learn that lesson and think hey...I'll do some charity work if I get caught. All the pros do charity work anyway.There isn't enough information on how contrite he is on his 14 year old behavior. There is no forgiving on his actions then. It is not acceptable in any shape or manner. The problem with the bold is one of logic. If every person was a product of their antisocial or negative learned behavior then all of us are doomed to repeat the negative behavior for generations. There is always room for one to grow out of their bad behavior. True doing social work to counteract the behavior is simply not enough. It is a matter of how honest he is with his change in behavior. Now that is for a psychologist extraordinaire. On a different angle,Jackie Redmond made a point today. If the Bs signed him during this current winning streak, then other teams were also interested signing.
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Post by islamorada on Nov 4, 2022 22:49:54 GMT
I think what he did was as crappy as it comes. The kids d of stuff that you hope there were other, older kids around to beat his ass when it became known. But he was 13 or 14 years old. Could he still be a crappy fuckstick? Yep. But if has learned enough not to do it again, it's not something that disqualifies him from having a life as an adult. FWIW, I did a few pretty crappy things (one on a hockey rink, one in a locker room, one on a football field come to mind) when I was older than 14. I'm embarrassed by them. But I'm not that person - wasn't that person then. I just got pissed off and said/did stupid shit that I regret. But if those things had cost me the opportunity to have a life that I had otherwise earned, maybe I would have become that person? Yup there are varying degrees of crappy things we did when we were young. I could list at least a dozen. Why can I make a fast quick list, cause I have never forgiven myself. This young man better be contrite as Book mentions.
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Post by MrHulot on Nov 4, 2022 23:09:37 GMT
As I understand it, he never even apologized and has continued/s to use the N word after this incident. I remember the part about the parents blaming the victim (who is an emotionally challenged PoC). Doesn't sound to me like this kid ever learned his lesson. I'm for second chances, but even at 14, to piss on a candy and make a challenged kid eat it and then call him the N word after the fact? That is fucking cruelness. N'ah, you count me out on this one. Maybe Marchand and Bergy can help the kid grow, but we've got a racist enough perception already in this town. This invites even more scrutiny that is unneeded.
Note* This is my opinion only. Not a smart move by Don Sweeney IMHO. The more I read about this the less I like it. Yeah, I get it, we've all done stupid things when we were younger, but there are stupid things, and then there are things that are beyond stupid. What Miller did - and as far as the media reports go, he never denied doing it - was incredibly cruel. I expect someone who was that cruel to another person (or animal, for that matter) once to do an absolute 180 degree turn about it, and not just say the appropriate things in the media before I would consider that person repentant. From what I gathered, that hasn't happened with Miller, and all his explanations only qualify as lip service to me.
I was bullied in high school by another kid. The guy never apologized to me either, and yes, I still carry a grudge. I once said that if I saw that person walking in front of my car, I would not hesitate to run him over. But deep in my heart I'm hoping that situation never arises.
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Post by wayne on Nov 4, 2022 23:22:19 GMT
the abuse was over years not just one instance
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Post by sandogbrewin on Nov 4, 2022 23:28:17 GMT
This is gonna get worse for Sweeney and Neely.
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Post by seobrien on Nov 5, 2022 0:18:16 GMT
This is gonna get worse for Sweeney and Neely. It really is. And it's dumb-ass, self inflicted damage for no reason. Now the players and coaches have to answer questions on it. The kids in Providence have to be exposed to it. The media is gonna ride this one for a long time. It flies in the face of the culture that Chara and Bergeron worked so hard to foster. Above all, it feeds the "Boston is racist" trope, and brings in real negative vibes to a club where everything is going right at the moment. Another case of Cam and Donnie thinking they're the smartest guys in the room. They might as well trade for Logan Mallioux and bring in Tony DeAngelo too. I woke this morning feeling great about the franchise. I'll go to bed thinking less of it. It's a PR nightmare for this team. Did they even once consider the imminent blowback? I'm guessing not. They brought a ton of bad Juju into the room. After reading about him and his apparent lack of remorse and his parents making it seem like they're the victims of cancel culture, I'm never rooting for this kid...and wouldn't feel bad if JD Greenway lit him up. I've done dumb stuff too, but even as a 14yo wise-ass fuckwad, I would never have thought it funny to berate, taunt, and humiliate a handicapped person like that (The N word is the rotted cherry on top of this Shit Sundae). Whether you're 8 or 80...that is fucked up.
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