Arniel regrets his DWI arrest

Draftee promises to make amends

WILMINGTON - On June 21, Jamie Arniel experienced one of the memorable days of his life when the Bruins traded up to select the forward in the fourth round of the NHL draft.

But subsequent events made it a day Arniel is sure never to forget.

Early on June 22, Arniel was arrested and charged with impaired driving in his hometown of Kingston, Ontario, where he collided with parked cars and street signs. According to Kingston police, the 18-year-old had a blood-alcohol level more than twice the legal limit. Arniel originally was scheduled to appear in a Kingston court yesterday, but he was at the development camp instead.

"I definitely exercised awful judgment that night," Arniel said. "I definitely wasn't in the state of mind to be making decisions like that. I made the wrong one. I'm just happy no one got hurt. I feel really bad. I embarrassed my family and the organization. I'll definitely do whatever it takes to prove I'm a Bruin on the ice, and more importantly off the ice as well."

Arniel said he spoke after the incident with Sarnia general manager Alan Millar, who told him he will be back with the Sting in 2008-09.

"He said, 'Things like this happen a lot,' " Arniel said. " 'You made a bad decision, but we want you to come in next year, have a good year, forget about that, and just work toward being a hockey player.' I'm going to try and do whatever I can to make this right."

Arniel said his lawyer has advised him not to comment on the case.

"Collectively, we'll all talk to him, and individually, we'll all talk to him," said Don Sweeney, director of hockey operations and player development. "He's got to meet this thing head-on. I think he's accepted the fact that obviously he made a mistake. He's probably thankful that no one was hurt. We'll let this take its course, support him, and move forward."

Cross to sit out

Boston College-bound defenseman Tommy Cross will not compete in the development camp for the second straight summer because of a knee injury. Cross, the Bruins' second-round pick in 2007, recently underwent arthroscopic surgery on his knee. Cross should be ready for the US National Junior Evaluation Camp next month in Lake Placid, N.Y. Cross will be a freshman at BC this fall . . . Forward Jordan Knackstedt, Boston's seventh-round pick in 2007, was seventh in scoring in the Western Hockey League in 2007-08 with a 31-54 -85 line in 72 games. Knackstedt can return to Moose Jaw in 2008-09 as an overage player, but he said he'd like to sign with the Bruins and start the year in Providence. Sweeney said no decision has been made on Knackstedt for 2008-09 . . . The Bruins added forward Matt Read and defensemen Connor Goggin and Joe Loprieno to the camp roster . . . The players have their first on-ice session at Ristuccia Arena this morning from 9-11.