After denied a UK visa twice, Mike Danton signs on with Swedish team

Last season, Mike Danton spent time playing in the Czech Republic and Sweden. While searching for a new team for the 2012-13 season, he was hoping to find a place where life would be easier for his wife and newborn son. That place appeared to be Coventry, England, where the Blaze play in the Elite Ice Hockey League. But because Danton's past included a five-year stint in prison for a murder-for-hire plot his attempt to acquire a UK visa was denied twice, leaving him looking for new options.

On Saturday, Danton announced on his blog that he has signed a contract with Kramfors-Alliansen of Sweden's Division 1, the third highest level of hockey in the country:

Today, September 29, 2012 I signed a contract with the Kramfors Alliance in the Swedish Division 1 league. I am returning to Sweden for another season after my two applications for a UK work visa have been denied. Also, my coach form [sic] last season, Janne Huokko, will be coaching me again this season. I am extremely excited to be able to return back to Sweden where my professional career was resurrected and have another opportunity to share my experience with a younger team. I will be travelling to Sweden on Monday and arriving sometime on Tuesday. I look forward to playing Friday in the teams next game. I would like to thank my agent, Mike Bernier, for arranging this scenario on such short notice. It has been an extremely hectic last couple of months, but I am finally getting an opportunity to play hockey again this season. I look forward to updating all of you in the near future.

So his coach will be Janne Huokko, eh? You might remember him as being the center of the Swedish sex toy incident during a game between AIK and Leksand back in 2008.

Follow Sean Leahy on Twitter at @Sean_Leahy