DANTON PASSES FIRST TEST WITH HALIFAX MEDIA

A.J. Walling

tsn.ca

Mike Dantaon made an impression, a very big one, especially on me and as they say, I've been around a bit.

I did my first'  press conference in Quebec City in 1965 and estimating 40 news conferences a year for the past 45 years in this business, that's more than 1,000 of these things with easily around 100 involving Saint Mary's since I came to Halifax in the summer of 1972.

I've been at press conferences following the games at the Summit Series in Moscow in 1972 to some with Gretzky and Lemieux and Crosby but I can't recall a person handling himself so well with so much on the line as Danton did when he met the media Thursday in Halifax.

It was a restricted media conference as we were not allowed to ask questions relating to what got him in jail and had to stick to his brief life as a student at Saint Mary's and his possible ascension to the varsity hockey team.  However, that still covered a lot of ground.

Poised, smooth but not slick, he seemed sincere, intelligent, not cocky and even self deprecating at times and took on question after question. He reminded me of George Chuvalo taking on every punch that Cassius Clay fired at him and never went down in that fight held at Maple Leaf Gardens on the night of March 22, 1966.

The theme of this media conference, and it has been this way since TSN talked about this story last week, was 'getting a second chance'.Danton was flanked by the captain of the Saint Mary's Huskies hockey team, hockey coach Trevor Steinberg and athletic director Steve Sarty and they all spoke for a few moments prior to Danton taking the podium and they all spoke about a second chance.

And so did Danton.

''We all need a second chance in life,'' is what he told the room, which had the largest contingent of media for a sports story since I hit Halifax in the early 70's.

This was a news event, a sports event, a human interest event, a college event and the crowd of reporters reflected that. Some of the questions were not easy; to one reporter suggesting an opposing hockey player would taunt him and call him 'a felon' to what happens if an opponent says, 'Hey Danton, if I beat you up are you going to hire a hit man on me?'

He handled that question with class and even suggested there may be fans with 'terrible signs in the stands' and expects that.I've heard that some of his teammates are already goading him in possible preparation for visiting fans.'I can't control what people think but I can control myself,'' he told TSN.ca.

One of the things he plans to control is his outburst and conduct. In fact, he apologized to Halifax for his previous demeanor and conduct the last time he played in this city, which was in the 2000 Memorial Cup.

He was then a member of the rebellious Barrie Colts, who were fined for their conduct in the opening game when they disrespected the national anthem by skating and shooting the puck around.  The team, then coached by Bill Stewart, was fined $5,000.

In a scrum prior to the game, Danton told me 'I hope to get a chance to punish and really hurt Brad Richards and give him lots of pain'. Richards led Rimouski to the Memorial Cup and was the tournament MVP as they won the final over the Colts.  Danton, then called Jefferson, ran away from the media with the coach after the final.

''I certainly wish to apologize for my conduct back then. I was young and immature and totally regret those actions,'' he told TSN.ca.

Mike Danton loves the game of hockey and understands the value of an education.''Sure, I'd love to get back in the NHL but that is down the road, if it ever happens. I am a student first and a hockey player second. In fact, I can't play hockey if I don't keep up my grades.''

It appears he is hitting the books hard as he told us he has three 100's in three courses so far.''I have to do something with my life and hence I want a college education which will or could lead me to a career following hockey.''

He also has no problems about going to schools and trying to help kids who may have an 'attitude' problem.''I've been there,'' he said.

This saga started slightly more than two weeks ago when Saint Mary's coach Steinberg got a call from Danton expressing a desire to come to Saint Mary's and to play hockey. That led the Huskies team to talk to him via phone and e-mail and it's the team that convinced Steinberg to take a chance on him.''I picked SMU because from the start they were positive,'' said Danton. ''The players talked to me, e'mailed me and I felt comfortable.''

Marc Rancourt, the captain of the team said he spoke to him for a long time on the phone and 'got a good feeling'.''He really seemed sincere and from what we've seen of him in class and at the rink, he is,'' said Rancourt.

Danton admits he got looks on campus. ''The first few days I could see students looking at me twice if not three times but almost all of them wished me well and that was a good feeling.''

The few negative comments are about his age and should he be playing at this level and coach Steinberg answered that.''There's a misconception going on here,'' said Steinberg. ''This is not basketball or football where 18-19 year-olds play. Most kids come and play varsity hockey after their junior days are done. There are few 18 year-olds in college hockey. And, let's not forget, there are some 18 year-olds who do play in the NHL such as Crosby, Ovechkin and others.''

Steinberg also points out that age is not a factor nor is it his call.''The age thing belongs with the CIS. If people have a concern, then it's to the CIS they should be talking. At this moment, any Canadian, regardless of age, and if they have eligibility, and is a full time student in a university in this country is eligible to play varsity athletics.

In covering CIS football over the years, I can recall doing TSN stories on several players who were over 30 years of age. Both were field-goal kickers. The first was in his early 30's and played for StFX in the fall of 1993. And, a few seasons ago, Acadia had a 36 year-old kicker.

So when will Danton play? After all he is a former NHL'er.''He may be a former NHL player but he hasn't played in nearly six years. If the team had their way, he would be in the lineup for this weekend's games but that won't happen,'' said Steinberg.

''As much as I would like to play, I simply am not ready to play,'' said Danton. 

Stienburg was more direct.''No, he is not ready to play this weekend,'' said the Saint Mary's coach. ''I would be doing him a disservice if I played him. Let's not forget that he hasn't played in years and it is going to take some time to get him back in near game shape.''

Danton is in it for the long-term and if an NHL chance came, he wouldn't jump ship.''That's a big if. I'm here to get a college degree and will certainly return next fall,'' said Danton.Danton has two years of eligibilityleft but one person at SMU told me they may appeal to get another year if things work out.

Danton, who was convicted and did 5 1/2 years in prison for a failed murder-for-hire-plot, has indeed been given a second chance. He was released from an American prison in March of last year and returned to a Canadian prison in Kingston, Ontario. He was granted a full parole last September.

The target of the murder-for-hire plot was never identified but it is believed to be either his former agent David Frost or his father.And, while Danton would love to get back to the NHL, there is the matter of the criminal record standing in the way to enter the United States.

His NHL career has been a short one. He played 92 games with the St. Louis Blues and New Jersey Devils and scored 10 goals.

Steinberg has a unique perspective for paroles. His father was a member of the National Parole Board and one of the paroles that stayed in the Steinberg house when Trevor was a young 5 year-old was none other than Steven Truscott. And he wasn't the only one as many came out of prison and spent a weekend or more at the Steinberg residence.''Growing up, I have seen so many prison people get second chances and many have done well and have changed their life around,'' said Steinberg.

In fact, Danton is staying with the Steinberg family at the moment and he has enjoyed the experience.From the president of the school Colin Dodds to the athletic department, coach, players, and students, everyone wants him to succeed in school, at the rink and in life.

Mike Danton wanted a second chance. He got it. I, for one, hope he does well.