David Frost (sports agent)
Encyclopedia
David Frost, a.k.a. Jim McCauley, was a junior ice hockey
coach and NHL Players' Association sports agent
, best known as the alleged target of a murder-for-hire plot by one of his clients, former St. Louis Blues
forward Mike Danton
.
He is currently living in Laguna Niguel, California
under the alias Jim McCauley working out of the Laguna Niguel Hockey Academy.
On August 22, 2006 Frost was charged with 12 counts of sexual exploitation by the Ontario Provincial Police
for crimes alleged during 1995–2001. The charges relate to his time as coach of the Quinte Hawks Junior hockey team and involve acts on three females and four males between the ages of 14 and 16. Frost was found not guilty on those charges on November 29, 2008 after the judge in the case found "some testimony by government witnesses was simply not believable and he feared some of it had been tainted by collusion". Steve Simmons
, writing in The Toronto Sun, criticized the poor performance by the Crown prosecutors, who neglected to call several witnesses who would have likely bolstered the case against Frost.
(who later changed his name to Mike Danton), Sheldon Keefe
, and Joe Goodenow (son of then NHLPA Head Bob Goodenow
). He was banned from coaching in the Metro Toronto Hockey League
following allegations he forged the signature of the club's general manager. He then took his "Brampton Boys", including Danton
and Keefe
to the Quinte Hawks, a Metro Junior A
Club based out of Deseronto, Ontario
. He was suspended from the Hawks after he pled guilty to a charge he assaulted a Hawks player.
Despite being suspended by Quinte, his Brampton Boys were drafted the following season, by Ontario Hockey League
(OHL) teams; and Frost was known to frequently attend Sarnia Sting
games to monitor the progress of Jefferson. As a result, Jefferson was dealt to the Toronto St. Michael's Majors
(St. Mike's), where he was reunited with Sheldon Keefe, Ryan Barnes
and Shawn Cation, who rounded out the rest of Frost's Brampton Boys. There were reports of conflict between Frost and the St. Mike's front office, and eventually all four of the Brampton Boys were traded to the Barrie Colts
. The Brampton Boys tenure in Barrie was seen as being controversial, as the four players were considered a distraction in the locker room and showed many examples of bizarre behavior on and off the ice. Ryan Barnes
was suspended for 25 games, for a stick-swinging incident, while Shawn Cation was suspended for 15 games for his part in starting a line brawl. A few other noteworthy incidents occurred during the 2000 OHL playoffs when team captain Sheldon Keefe
intentionally refused to shake OHL commissioner David Branch
's hand during the presentation of the J. Ross Robertson Cup
. The erratic behavior of the Brampton Boys was again displayed during the 2000 Memorial Cup
in Halifax, when the players led a walkout during a customary banquet and again refusing to shake hands with CHL commissioner David Branch in ceremonial face-offs. A few noteworthy incidents involving the four boys were leading the team's refusal to stand in the customary lineup for the national anthem and Jefferson calling out Rimouski Oceanic
forward Brad Richards
, by stating that no one would have heard of Richards if he didn't play in the QMJHL and he would not last five games in the OHL. The Colts reached the Memorial Cup
championship game, where they were defeated 6-2 by the Oceanic and later refused to shake Richards' hand after he had been named tournament MVP. Jefferson, Keefe and head coach Bill Stewart
also notoriously walked out of the Halifax Metro Centre
without conducting any interviews to the media. The behavior of the Colts, most notably the Brampton Boys drew the ire of many in hockey circles, citing their behavior perceived their team as coming across as being boorish oafs and sore losers. All four of the Brampton Boys did not return to the Colts the following season.
In the summer of 2000, Mike's younger brother Tom Jefferson, then 13, was allowed to take part in a weekend retreat at Frost’s cottage in Kingston, attended also by his older brother Mike and other young hockey players. Upon returning home, Tom was sullen and withdrawn. In June 2001, the parents provided Dr. Brian Shaw, a psychologist with the National Hockey League Players' Association, with photographs that had been taken that weekend, including one of Tom naked and bound to a bed with duct tape, and another with Frost pointing a rifle at the child.
Shaw, as obligated by law, presented the evidence of child abuse to authorities, and an investigation ensued. Further details of that weekend emerged, including allegations that Tom was forced to eat pancakes that were spat on by Frost; he was shot at with a BB gun while hanging from a tree branch; and that he was ordered to dance naked atop a table for hours. Frost and five other witnesses dismissed the entire incident as a hazing ritual that had been young Tom's idea to start with, and the investigation was closed.
Jefferson changed his name to Michael Sage Danton in 2002, a decision Frost said was made by the young player to separate himself from his family. Danton subsequently claimed that the Jefferson family had abused Mike, that they lived in squalor and had abused drugs and alcohol.
Though Danton made the National Hockey League
(NHL), playing 87 games for the New Jersey Devils
and St. Louis Blues, Frost retained almost complete control over the player. Frost required his permission for Danton to conduct interviews, and the player frequently asked Frost's opinion on many issues. Following the 2003–04 NHL season, Danton was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation
(FBI) after it was alleged he tried to hire a hit man to kill Frost. Danton pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 7½ years in prison, though he later alleged that it was his father he intended to kill, not Frost. Danton's claims were disputed by the FBI and the alleged hitman, both of whom agreed that Frost was the target.
training camp to monitor the progress of a minor-league prospect. However, the Coyotes General Manager indicated that Frost would not be allowed to attend. Since being acquitted on sexual exploitation charges in November, Frost has launched a website designed to unleash secret stories about the NHL, closely guarded playbooks and advice for young players trying to make the big league. Subsequently, as of Sept 2011 Frost's website had shut down.
Junior ice hockey
Junior hockey is a catch-all term used to describe various levels of ice hockey competition for players generally between 16 and 20 years of age...
coach and NHL Players' Association sports agent
Sports agent
A sports agent procures and negotiates employment and endorsement contracts for an athlete.In return, the sports agent generally receives between 4 and 10% of the athlete's playing contract, and 10 to 20% of the athlete's endorsement contract, though these figures vary...
, best known as the alleged target of a murder-for-hire plot by one of his clients, former St. Louis Blues
St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team is named after the famous W. C. Handy song "St. Louis Blues", and plays in the 19,150-seat Scottrade...
forward Mike Danton
Mike Danton
Michael Sage Danton is a Canadian ice hockey player currently playing for the IFK Ore of the Swedish Division 1. Danton played for the New Jersey Devils and St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League between 2000 and 2004, before being imprisoned for a conspiracy to commit murder...
.
He is currently living in Laguna Niguel, California
Laguna Niguel, California
Laguna Niguel is an affluent city located in southern Orange County, California. The name "Laguna Niguel" is derived from the Spanish word "Laguna" which means lagoon, and the word "Nigueli" which was the name of a Juaneño Indian village that was once located on Aliso Creek. The population was...
under the alias Jim McCauley working out of the Laguna Niguel Hockey Academy.
On August 22, 2006 Frost was charged with 12 counts of sexual exploitation by the Ontario Provincial Police
Ontario Provincial Police
The Ontario Provincial Police is the Provincial Police service for the province of Ontario, Canada.-Overview:The OPP is the the largest deployed police force in Ontario, and the second largest in Canada. The service is responsible for providing policing services throughout the province in areas...
for crimes alleged during 1995–2001. The charges relate to his time as coach of the Quinte Hawks Junior hockey team and involve acts on three females and four males between the ages of 14 and 16. Frost was found not guilty on those charges on November 29, 2008 after the judge in the case found "some testimony by government witnesses was simply not believable and he feared some of it had been tainted by collusion". Steve Simmons
Steve Simmons
Steve Simmons is a journalist with the Toronto Sun and nationally syndicated throughout Sun Media. He has previously worked as a sports columnist for the Calgary Herald, Calgary Sun, London Free Press, Globe and Mail and The Hockey News....
, writing in The Toronto Sun, criticized the poor performance by the Crown prosecutors, who neglected to call several witnesses who would have likely bolstered the case against Frost.
"Brampton Boys" regime
Frost got his start as a coach with the Toronto Young Nationals, an Atom club where he coached, among others, Mike JeffersonMike Danton
Michael Sage Danton is a Canadian ice hockey player currently playing for the IFK Ore of the Swedish Division 1. Danton played for the New Jersey Devils and St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League between 2000 and 2004, before being imprisoned for a conspiracy to commit murder...
(who later changed his name to Mike Danton), Sheldon Keefe
Sheldon Keefe
Sheldon Keefe , is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player, principally for the Tampa Bay Lightning. He plays right wing,...
, and Joe Goodenow (son of then NHLPA Head Bob Goodenow
Bob Goodenow
Robert W. "Bob" Goodenow is an American manager, who became the Executive Director of the National Hockey League Players Association in 1992, succeeding Alan Eagleson...
). He was banned from coaching in the Metro Toronto Hockey League
Greater Toronto Hockey League
The Greater Toronto Hockey League , formerly known as the "Metro Toronto Hockey League", is a minor level ice hockey organization based out of the Toronto region of Ontario. The league was founded in 1911 as the Beaches Hockey League by Fred C. Waghorne, Sr., and it is the largest minor hockey...
following allegations he forged the signature of the club's general manager. He then took his "Brampton Boys", including Danton
Mike Danton
Michael Sage Danton is a Canadian ice hockey player currently playing for the IFK Ore of the Swedish Division 1. Danton played for the New Jersey Devils and St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League between 2000 and 2004, before being imprisoned for a conspiracy to commit murder...
and Keefe
Sheldon Keefe
Sheldon Keefe , is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player, principally for the Tampa Bay Lightning. He plays right wing,...
to the Quinte Hawks, a Metro Junior A
Metro Junior A Hockey League
----The Metro Junior "A" Hockey League was a junior level ice hockey league based out of Southern Ontario. The league originated in 1956 as the Metro Junior "B" Hockey League, which lasted until 1991, when it changed its designation from Junior B to Junior A. It remained a Jr...
Club based out of Deseronto, Ontario
Deseronto, Ontario
Deseronto is a town in the Canadian province of Ontario, in Hastings County, located on the shore of the Bay of Quinte. The town had a population of 1,824 in the Canada 2006 Census.The town was named for Capt...
. He was suspended from the Hawks after he pled guilty to a charge he assaulted a Hawks player.
Despite being suspended by Quinte, his Brampton Boys were drafted the following season, by Ontario Hockey League
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
(OHL) teams; and Frost was known to frequently attend Sarnia Sting
Sarnia Sting
The Sarnia Sting are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. They play out of the RBC Centre, formerly the Sarnia Sports and Entertainment Centre in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada.-History:...
games to monitor the progress of Jefferson. As a result, Jefferson was dealt to the Toronto St. Michael's Majors
Toronto St. Michael's Majors
The Toronto St. Michael's Majors, was a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The hockey program was founded and operated by St. Michael's College School in 1906, and adopted the name "Majors" in 1934, and was commonly referred to as St. Mike's...
(St. Mike's), where he was reunited with Sheldon Keefe, Ryan Barnes
Ryan Barnes
Ryan Barnes , is an ice hockey left winger who most recently played seven games with the Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League while registering no points and nine penalty minutes. Barnes was drafted in the second round, fifty-fifth overall in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft by the Detroit Red...
and Shawn Cation, who rounded out the rest of Frost's Brampton Boys. There were reports of conflict between Frost and the St. Mike's front office, and eventually all four of the Brampton Boys were traded to the Barrie Colts
Barrie Colts
The Barrie Colts are a junior ice hockey team in Ontario Hockey League, based in Barrie, Ontario, Canada. There were two previous Barrie Colts team which played Junior A & B hockey in the Ontario Hockey Association, one from 1907 until 1910 and another from the 1920s to 1940s.-Original Colts:The...
. The Brampton Boys tenure in Barrie was seen as being controversial, as the four players were considered a distraction in the locker room and showed many examples of bizarre behavior on and off the ice. Ryan Barnes
Ryan Barnes
Ryan Barnes , is an ice hockey left winger who most recently played seven games with the Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League while registering no points and nine penalty minutes. Barnes was drafted in the second round, fifty-fifth overall in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft by the Detroit Red...
was suspended for 25 games, for a stick-swinging incident, while Shawn Cation was suspended for 15 games for his part in starting a line brawl. A few other noteworthy incidents occurred during the 2000 OHL playoffs when team captain Sheldon Keefe
Sheldon Keefe
Sheldon Keefe , is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player, principally for the Tampa Bay Lightning. He plays right wing,...
intentionally refused to shake OHL commissioner David Branch
David Branch
David E. Branch has served as the Commissioner of the Ontario Hockey League since September 15, 1979, and as the President of the Canadian Hockey League since 1996...
's hand during the presentation of the J. Ross Robertson Cup
J. Ross Robertson Cup
The J. Ross Robertson Cup is an ice hockey trophy awarded annually to the winner of the Ontario Hockey League playoff championship. It was presented by and named for John Ross Robertson, the president of the Ontario Hockey Association who served from 1899 to 1905.Originally it was awarded to the...
. The erratic behavior of the Brampton Boys was again displayed during the 2000 Memorial Cup
2000 Memorial Cup
The 2000 Memorial Cup occurred May 20–28 at the Halifax Metro Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. It featured the host team, the Halifax Mooseheads as well as the winners of the Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League which were the Barrie Colts, Rimouski...
in Halifax, when the players led a walkout during a customary banquet and again refusing to shake hands with CHL commissioner David Branch in ceremonial face-offs. A few noteworthy incidents involving the four boys were leading the team's refusal to stand in the customary lineup for the national anthem and Jefferson calling out Rimouski Oceanic
Rimouski Océanic
The Rimouski Océanic are a junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League . The franchise was granted for the 1969–70 season...
forward Brad Richards
Brad Richards
Bradley Glenn Richards is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and alternate captain for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League .-Early career:Born and raised in Murray Harbour, Prince Edward Island...
, by stating that no one would have heard of Richards if he didn't play in the QMJHL and he would not last five games in the OHL. The Colts reached the Memorial Cup
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
championship game, where they were defeated 6-2 by the Oceanic and later refused to shake Richards' hand after he had been named tournament MVP. Jefferson, Keefe and head coach Bill Stewart
Bill Stewart (ice hockey)
William Donald Stewart is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and former head coach of the New York Islanders.-Playing career:...
also notoriously walked out of the Halifax Metro Centre
Halifax Metro Centre
The Halifax Metro Centre was built in 1978, in downtown Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The building is next to the World Trade and Convention Centre, at the foot of Citadel Hill. It is the largest arena in Halifax. It originally featured a full ring of bright orange seats around the playing surface,...
without conducting any interviews to the media. The behavior of the Colts, most notably the Brampton Boys drew the ire of many in hockey circles, citing their behavior perceived their team as coming across as being boorish oafs and sore losers. All four of the Brampton Boys did not return to the Colts the following season.
Frost vs the Jeffersons
David Frost first approached Danton's parents, Steve and Sue Jefferson, in 1991, successfully recruiting Mike for the Young Nationals. The Jeffersons indicate that their son's recruiter, who later became his agent, wielded a growing influence over their son in the years that followed. As time passed, Frost's influence grew beyond the business of hockey. If Mike wasn't at school or playing hockey, Danton would spend most of his time with Frost. Steve Jefferson would go watch Danton play, but wasn't allowed contact with his son before or after the games.In the summer of 2000, Mike's younger brother Tom Jefferson, then 13, was allowed to take part in a weekend retreat at Frost’s cottage in Kingston, attended also by his older brother Mike and other young hockey players. Upon returning home, Tom was sullen and withdrawn. In June 2001, the parents provided Dr. Brian Shaw, a psychologist with the National Hockey League Players' Association, with photographs that had been taken that weekend, including one of Tom naked and bound to a bed with duct tape, and another with Frost pointing a rifle at the child.
Shaw, as obligated by law, presented the evidence of child abuse to authorities, and an investigation ensued. Further details of that weekend emerged, including allegations that Tom was forced to eat pancakes that were spat on by Frost; he was shot at with a BB gun while hanging from a tree branch; and that he was ordered to dance naked atop a table for hours. Frost and five other witnesses dismissed the entire incident as a hazing ritual that had been young Tom's idea to start with, and the investigation was closed.
Jefferson changed his name to Michael Sage Danton in 2002, a decision Frost said was made by the young player to separate himself from his family. Danton subsequently claimed that the Jefferson family had abused Mike, that they lived in squalor and had abused drugs and alcohol.
Though Danton made the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL), playing 87 games for the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
and St. Louis Blues, Frost retained almost complete control over the player. Frost required his permission for Danton to conduct interviews, and the player frequently asked Frost's opinion on many issues. Following the 2003–04 NHL season, Danton was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation
Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
(FBI) after it was alleged he tried to hire a hit man to kill Frost. Danton pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 7½ years in prison, though he later alleged that it was his father he intended to kill, not Frost. Danton's claims were disputed by the FBI and the alleged hitman, both of whom agreed that Frost was the target.
Resignation
On 6 December 2005, the NHL Players' Association (NHLPA) announced that Frost has resigned as an NHL player agent. Frost's resignation came shortly after the NHLPA launched an investigation into his certification shortly after the airing on CBC of Rogue Agent, a documentary looking into Frost's relationship with Mike Danton, and evidence of child abuse perpetrated against Danton's younger brother.2007
On March 23, 2007 Frost was also charged with fraud, impersonation and breach of probation for allegedly trying to purchase nearly $90 in gasoline by using a credit card registered to Mike Danton. He was acquitted of all charges on February 14, 2009; Danton informed the court that Frost had permission to use his credit cards.2008
While out on bail awaiting trial on sexual exploitation charges, Frost had his bail conditions amended to allow him to leave Canada. He had intended to attend the Phoenix CoyotesPhoenix Coyotes
The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....
training camp to monitor the progress of a minor-league prospect. However, the Coyotes General Manager indicated that Frost would not be allowed to attend. Since being acquitted on sexual exploitation charges in November, Frost has launched a website designed to unleash secret stories about the NHL, closely guarded playbooks and advice for young players trying to make the big league. Subsequently, as of Sept 2011 Frost's website had shut down.
External links
- the fifth estate – Rogue Agent
- CBC uncovers further Danton-Frost intrigue, 29-11-2005
- David Frost resigns as NHL player agent
- "Puck Stop: The Bizarre World of Mike Danton" from Buffalo Weekly ArtVoice