general manager “Ak Barsa” Marat Valiullin, in an interview with , explained how the team’s rookie, the 21-year-old American defender Mitchell Miller will correct its reputation in Russia.
Ak Bars announced the signing of Miller to a contract on Saturday. The agreement is valid until the end of the 2025/26 season. The player started the current season in the Slovak club Liptovsky Mikulas. Miller, 21, has 29 (6+23) points in 19 matches.
The American moved to Europe after Boston terminated its deal with him. Miller bullied a disabled black man in 2016. The player himself admitted in court to bullying disabled classmate Isaiah Meyer-Crothers. The defender was sentenced to 25 hours of community service.
—Have you studied this story in depth? Was it fashionable in North America? Or did Mitchell Miller really bully his disabled black classmate Isaiah Meyer-Crothers?
“We looked into it, and this story is not as crude as the journalists make it out to be. I think many schoolchildren at 14 did things that they were ashamed of later when they grew up. Seven years have passed since then. Miller offered his sincere apologies. And before the draft, he openly described his story, sending it in letters to every NHL club. Mitchell was sentenced to 25 hours of community service. I think Miller was fully punished for what he did in high school.
— Did you have to agree on Miller’s contract at the level of sponsors and club owners? Ak Bars’ image is at stake.
“We have been working on this defender since September. And then they brought the information to the management of Ak Bars, explaining all the nuances. Arguments were made and we received approval. Miller stumbled, but it was a story we were trying to figure out.
We have already spoken with Miller, he said that he wants to participate in the Ak Bars social program. For example, our club greatly supports and develops sledge hockey in the republic. Tatneft promotes adaptive hockey and conducts numerous charitable works. The guy will participate in many activities. Everyone makes mistakes, no one is without sin. It is important to be able to correct these mistakes,” Valiullin told .
After 34 matches, Ak Bars ranks fifth in the Eastern Conference with 40 points.
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I’m Emma Smith, a dedicated journalist and avid storyteller. I have been writing for news websites for the past 5 years, reporting on hockey news and delivering in-depth analysis of the sport. In my current role as Author at Athletistic, I write about hockey events from around the world to keep followers up-to-date with what’s happening in the sport.
