Danton deserves second chance

Mike Danton paid his debt to society and should be allowed to play university hockey again, say a sampling of Lakehead Thunderwolves players and coach Joel Scherban.

Danton, who spent five years behind bars for his role in a murder-for-hire plot, takes the ice on Wednesday night for the Saint Mary’s Huskies, his first competitive action since his arrest in 2004, when he played for the St. Louis Blues.

Now 29, his return to the game raised questions across the country, particularly when it comes to former professionals playing the university game.

Lakehead forward Scott Dobben, who spent three years as a minor-pro, said he’s OK with the situation.

"I’m kind of in the same boat if they were to decide to change that," said Dobben. "I think it’s pretty fair what they have in place. It’s five years of eligibility and for every year you play pro you lose a year."

Dobben said Danton has paid his price and should be allowed to play.

"Who am I to judge Mike Danton on what he’s doing? If he wants to come back and get a college education and play some hockey, more power to him."

Defenceman Jordan Smith, who played two years of pro before an eye injury forced him to retire, agreed.

"I don’t think just because you’ve gone and toiled in the pros for awhile means you should be held back from attaining an education.

"In Mike Danton’s case, obviously it’s a little bit different, but I’m sure he’s got great support from the team and the community in Halifax ... Honestly, I think it’s pretty good for the league," Smith said.

Lakehead coach Joel Scherban has a lengthy hockey relationship with Danton, who was born Mike Jefferson, but changed his name after an infamous falling out with his father. The two played against each other in bantam, and battled back and forth in major junior, Scherban with the London Knights and Danton with Sarnia, Toronto and Barrie.

Scherban, the first-year coach whose team has several former pros on its roster, said every player’s dream is to make it to the NHL, and to do that most have to start out in the minor leagues.

Not everyone makes it, and Scherban said that shouldn’t hamper them later in life.

"When they decide that pro isn’t the best for them and they want to go get an education, I think the CIS does a great job of supporting players who want to come and get an education. I think it’s great that guys can try pro for three or four months and come back, or even if they have played (longer) they still have the option of getting an education."

Danton should be no different than anyone else, despite his conviction and time behind bars.

"He’s had a tough life. Obviously the last five or six years being in prison and going through rehab (have been bad), and hopefully he’s been able to change things around and come out a new person. I think everyone deserves a second chance and hopefully he makes the best of it," said Scherban, a seventh-round pick of Pittsburgh in 1998.

Danton had nine goals and five assists in 87 NHL games over three seasons, split between St. Louis and New Jersey, the team that drafted him in the fifth round of the 2000 NHL draft.