Pictou County, Nova Scotia – The Pictou County Weeks Crushers, proud member of the Maritime Hockey League, announced today they have hired Mike Danton as their new Head Coach
Danton, born in Brampton, Ontario, played three seasons in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) winning a league championship and competing in the finals of the 2000 Memorial Cup hosted by the Halifax Mooseheads. Danton was drafted in the 5thround by the New Jersey Devils and played parts of four seasons with the Devils and St. Louis Blues.
Mike graduated summa cum laude from Saint Mary’s University with a double major in Psychology and Criminology. He also helped the Saint Mary’s Huskies win their only National Championship in men’s hockey. From there, Danton played six professional seasons in Europe and North America as a player-coach while attaining his degree and raising a growing family abroad.
Currently, Mike and his wife Nancy live in Halifax with their two sons, Tanner and Jaxson, and their daughter Sage. Mike has just completed his first year as a Master’s Student in Sports Psychology at the University of New Brunswick.
Crushers co-owner, Scott Burden, says that Danton was an easy decision.
“Mike and I have spoken at great lengths about his past – hockey and personal – and it is refreshing to see how far this man has come,” says Burden. “Mike’s ability to overcome adversity in his personal life, coupled with his work ethic, tenacity and knowledge for hockey make his mentality an extremely valuable asset. “When you have an opportunity to grab a guy that has a plethora of knowledge on and off the ice – that can be directed towards our players – I think it would be a waste to let that pass.”
Danton is grateful and excited for the opportunity to help those – as he once was – on and off the ice.
“I appreciate the opportunity that Scott, Bruce and Pictou County have offered me,” says Danton. “I have worked relentlessly for everything I have, and I owe all of that to second chances and supportive people. I am excited to get started and instil an environment that will be well-received by the fans and successful within the dressing room.”
Next up for the Crushers is The MHL Draft in Edmundston, NB on June 13th-15th, 2019.
*Release via Weeks Crushers