[CanuckCourage]

I remember seeing an interview with Mike Danton around a year and a half ago. He missed the majority of 2002-03 season after being suspended by New Jersey for refusing to report to Albany. He had just legally changed his name from Jefferson to Danton back then, and was hoping to get a fresh start in the NHL. Now he's allegedly hiring hitmen.

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[clearlyentranced]

Yeah I saw that on Sportsnet, then there was an artical in the sun, he's in some trouble for sure.

[Stephen Dame]

I remember seeing an interview with Mike Danton around a year and a half ago. He missed the majority of 2002-03 season after being suspended by New Jersey for refusing to report to Albany. He had just legally changed his name from Jefferson to Danton back then, and was hoping to get a fresh start in the NHL. Now he's allegedly hiring hitmen.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.cbc.ca/pcgi-bin/templates/sportsView.cgi?/news/2004/04/16/Sports/danton-arrest">http://www.cbc.ca/pcgi-bin/templates/sp ... ton-arrest</a><!-- m -->

Maybe he just hired the hitman to give somebody a good "spook."

That'll learn him.

Which reminds me. If Ed Belfour is reading thi... BOOOO!.... take that, Mr. Eddie the Seagull. Sens fans: thank me later.

[mrlayance]

Wow, that is crazy. I don't think he has alot upstairs to work with.... Maybe watched a few too many movies on the hockey bus...

[sherpahigh]

Wow, that is crazy. I don't think he has alot upstairs to work with.... Maybe watched a few too many movies on the hockey bus...

Definitly not playing with a full deck by the sounds of things. Sounds like he's not living in reality, maybe a case of too much money, too young with an added bonus of zero brains.

[K-Town Lassie]

It's important to remember that as far as the law is concerned, he is "innocent until proven guilty".

That said--if it's true and he did do this, it's an absolute shame. He's living the dream of so many young kids, playing professional hockey. The chance of a life time. What a terrible waste.

[VioletlightHeron]

From what the authorities are saying, he contracted with a hitman to prevent a guy from leaving him, or something along those lines. It all has the air of bizarre to it. To me, either the authorities dont have a clear picture of what happened or they are doing the right thing and not trying the case in public.

[MikeS]

I've actually been following this story since Danton (then Jefferson) and the rest of the "Quinte Four" were in the OHL with St. Mike's and Barrie and I get the feeling there's a lot more to this story than the mediots are reporting...

As background, here's an article from the SUN from five years ago on Danton's (then Jefferson's) agent (then "advisor") David Frost:

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Now, compare that (particularly Danton's dad's feelings re: Frost) to the present day:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://tinyurl.com/2vyad">http://tinyurl.com/2vyad</a><!-- m --> (from the Toronto Star today)

To anyone with kids just starting out in minor hockey, this is particularly scary stuff.

M.

[grooveless touque]

That is damn unsettling...in the first article, Frost is all paranoid: "Who said that? Did Person X tell you that? We've always hated each other." or "Did Person Y tell you to say that? He doesn't like me, he's out to ruin me."

Then in the second article, Frost himself says DANTON was the one who was of such mental state that he was "paranoid and delusional". I feel bad for Danton if somehow Frost's negative control over him led him to do this.

[MikeS]

And today, the picture becomes a little clearer (or does it?):

From ESPN.com:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=1786051">http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=1786051</a><!-- m -->
("Report: Agent the apparent target")

And TSG:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://thesmokinggun.com/archive/0419041danton1.html">http://thesmokinggun.com/archive/0419041danton1.html</a><!-- m -->
(the actual criminal complaint against Danton)

Sorry for the links, but I find this story strangely fascinating...

M.

[Gov'tMule]

Just shows what happens when you get a 19 year old woman to do a grown man's job.