Mike Danton, the former NHLer convicted in a failed murder plot, now wants to be known as a student athlete.

Danton has moved to Halifax to study at Saint Mary's University and join the varsity hockey team.

The 29-year-old spoke about his plans at a news conference Thursday, telling reporters he wants to move forward and leave his past behind.

To do so, he needs an education.

"We all make mistakes," he said. "The severity of those mistakes is what differs, but when it comes down to it, I think that everybody deserves a second chance. Where would we be if we weren't given second chances?"

Danton began his classes last week. He said he got a lot of looks from fellow students at first, but he hasn't heard one negative word.

"Saint Mary's has been good enough to open up their arms, accept me — not just the university, not just the guys, the coaching staff, but the community as a whole," he said.

Danton wants to earn a degree in psychology. His plan is to put the classroom ahead of the rink.

A student first

"For me to be successful at hockey, I have to be successful at school," he said. "I'm a student athlete, not an athlete student."

Danton is a good decade older than some of the Huskies. He dismisses any suggestions that he's too old to play university hockey.

But he's not sure when he'll suit up. "I have to get into appropriate shape," he said.

Coach Trevor Stienburg said Danton likely won't play in Friday's game in Antigonish, N.S.

In 2004, Danton pleaded guilty in the United States to conspiracy to commit murder, with his former minor hockey coach as the apparent target of a hitman. He was sentenced to 7½ years in prison and was transferred to a Canadian prison in 2009.

He was released on full parole in September.

The National Parole Board of Canada concluded that Danton is at low risk to reoffend, according to board documents obtained by CBC News.

The documents said Danton was in therapy and took part in a substance-abuse program while in prison. On top of that, he took correspondence courses from Queen's University in Kingston, Ont.

The parole board approved Danton's request to move to Halifax earlier this month. He must report to a parole officer in the city, not possess drugs or alcohol and continue his counselling.

With files from The Canadian Press