HALIFAX - Former NHL player Mike Danton -- who was convicted in a failed murder-for-hire plot -- says he wants to leave his past behind as he proceeds with his future as a university student and varsity hockey player.
"It's one of those things where I think we all make mistakes," Danton told a news conference Thursday at Saint Mary's University.
"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 spoke out for the first time since moving to Halifax last week to attend Saint Mary's, where he will play for the school's hockey team.
The 29-year-old laughed off criticism that he's too old to play university hockey.
"29's not that old. Come on, cut me some slack," he said.
Danton was convicted in 2004 of conspiracy to commit murder and was released from a United States prison in March of last year.
He returned to Canada and was granted full parole last September.
He said people on campus have been receptive since his arrival.
"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.
"I've had comments from students on campus, from people at grocery stores, and ... I haven't heard one negative thing to me."
His hockey coach, Trevor Stienburg, says it's highly unlikely Danton will suit up for the team's game on Friday in Antigonish, N.S.
