KINGSTON, Ont. - Former NHL player Mike Danton was granted full parole today, and admitted to the National Parole Board that the target of a murder-for-hire plot was his father.
Danton, a native of Brampton, Ont., pleaded guilty in 2004 in the United States in the failed plot that prosecutors alleged targeted David Frost, his former junior coach who went on to become Danton's mentor and agent.
But at today's hearing, Danton said the intended target was his father, not Frost.
Police in the United States alleged Frost was the target, but Danton said Frost "turned out to be" the victim, but he was not the "intended victim."
Danton told the parole board he made a deal to pay $10,000 "to have the person I believed was coming to kill me" murdered.
"Over the years there were conversations that pointed to someone who would have interest into ending my life and ending Dave's life."
Board member Michael Crowley said "it's clear that you thought it was your father who would do you harm."
"Right." Danson replied.
In oral reasons for the decision, the board said while it was a very serious offence Danton has clearly benefited from therapy and would be a low risk.
Several conditions were placed on Danton's release.
He is to have no direct or indirect contact with Steve Jefferson, his father, and no face to face contact with Frost unless preapproved by his parole officer.
He is also to abstain from drugs and alcohol, and to continue counselling.
Danton was sentenced to 7 1/2 years in prison in the U.S. and was transferred to a Kingston, Ont.-area facility in March, when he reached full parole eligibility.
Danton spent parts of three seasons playing for the St. Louis Blues and New Jersey Devils.
