A former NHL player released from prison in September after serving more than five years for conspiracy to commit murder may soon be playing hockey for Saint Mary's University in Halifax.
Mike Danton, 29, has been cleared to attend the school starting as early as next week, Steve Sarty, director of athletics and recreation at Saint Mary's, said Monday. The parole board needs to work out some details before it's official, he said.
"In no uncertain terms, he's expressed his desire to play hockey," Sarty said.
The Huskies' coach and team captain have both spoken with Danton, and all the players have signed a letter saying they want the former NHLer to be part of the team, he said.
Danton's marks from a continuing education course at Queen's University in Kingston have been good, Sarty said, so there was little standing in his way to attend Saint Mary's to study sociology and psychology and pursue his passion for playing hockey.
"The more I thought about it, I thought this is absolutely the right thing to do," Sarty said. "From a human being's perspective, we encourage them to grow and learn from their mistakes and move on. I would have a hard time looking myself in the eye if I didn't buy into that whole process."
In 2004, Danton pleaded guilty in the United States in a failed murder-for-hire plot that was alleged to have targeted his former minor hockey coach. He was sentenced to 7½ years in prison and was transferred to a Canadian penitentiary in 2009.
Several Saint Mary's students said they'd be happy to have Danton, who has played for the St. Louis Blues and New Jersey Devils, on the university hockey team.
"I think if he wants a second chance at life again, he's all rehabilitated, done his thing, done his time, I don't think it's that big of a deal," Al Gagnon said. "So, yeah, sure, let him come back and play and help out our team a little bit most likely."
Chase Holthe agrees.
"He's good at hockey, obviously."
Released from prison last September, Danton will be on parole until Jan. 21, 2011. The native of Brampton, Ont., cannot travel between provinces until he is granted special permission.
