David Frost's sexual exploitation trial heard Friday that the former hockey coach and agent used intimidation to motivate his teenage players — including Mike Danton, who years later pleaded guilty to a failed murder-for-hire plot with Frost as the alleged target.

Former Junior A player Jason Flick told a Napanee, Ont., court that Frost's only form of motivation when coaching the Quinte Hawks was "intimidation," and recalled several instances when he was violent with his players.

The "most memorable" incident involved Danton, who at the time still used his parents' surname, Jefferson, the court was told.

Flick recalled that Frost grabbed Danton by his jersey and punched him in the face at least once during the 1996-97 season, causing his head to hit the dressing room wall.

"That was the strange thing, he didn't block the punches or say stop or anything, he just sort of took the punches in the face and that was it," said Flick of Danton.

Flick said he didn't interfere, nor did any of the other players in the room, for fear of getting the same treatment.

Threw full water bottle

He also recalled that Frost threw a full water bottle at another player, striking him in the face, and that he made others cry.

The Crown has said character witness testimony will show Frost had total control over the teens he coached, and was able to convince some to participate with him in sexual acts.

Frost has pleaded not guilty to four counts of sexual exploitation against two former players, who cannot be named. His lawyers have said Frost will deny that the acts took place.

Frost's name came to national prominence when Danton, a former St. Louis Blues' forward, was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison for the murder-for-hire plot.

Danton's plea agreement in 2004 did not identify Frost, his former agent, as the intended victim. But U.S. prosecutors have said in open court that Frost was the man Danton, a native of Brampton, Ont., wanted killed.

On Friday, Flick testified that Frost also grabbed a player by his protective cup and said, "If you don't score some goals, I'm going to cut your nuts off," or words to that effect.

Under cross-examination, the defence suggested top-level coaches are known for being aggressive and throwing things in dressing rooms.

Several players liked Frost

Flick agreed and said several players liked Frost, and thought he made them better hockey players. The majority of the players on that Quinte Hawks team were either drafted to a higher level or got scholarships, Flick told the court.

Flick also said he had no knowledge of any control Frost may have had outside hockey rinks over the two players linked to the charges.

Another player, Colin Scotland, said Frost was a tough coach and an intimidating guy but not unlike many coaches he's had.

He said all coaches yell at their players and the only unusual thing about Frost's style was that he did it a little louder and more often than others.

He also recalled Frost going after Danton physically in the team's dressing room but had a more vague memory of the incident.

Scotland said he remembered Danton had been cut in the face and Frost asked if he was hurt. When Danton responded that he was, Scotland recalled Frost saying something like, "You think you're hurt? I'll show you hurt," and Danton was then struck into the wall.

Scotland said all the players were shocked.

But, Scotland said, he never had a problem with Frost, and his control over his players included ensuring that they always went to school, got their homework done, didn't stay up late and didn't go out drinking with friends.

The trial continues Oct. 27.

With files from the Canadian Press