QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. -After seeing their team miss the playoffs for the second year in a row the St. Louis Blues organization decided to make a change behind the bench of their primary affiliation in Peoria. Out with Dave Bassegio, in with Davis Payne.
The new head coach is well aware of the expectations that come with the position and is ready to face the challenge. Originally drafted in 1989 by Edmonton, 140th overall, he never played for the Oilers but skated for the Boston Bruins in 1995-96 and in 1996-97. Coming out from Michigan Tech University he began his professional career with the Greensboro Monarchs in the ECHL in 1992-93 where he played two years before moving on to the IHL and AHL and ending his career in the ECHL with Greenville Grrrowl in 1999-2000.
The right wing was known as a defensive forward and got his first chance in coaching in 2000-01 with Greenville, where he began as an assistant. The same year, opportunity knocked when Payne replaced Dave Capuano as bench boss of the Pee Dee Pride, after Capuano lasted just 15 games.
Payne was the main man behind the Pee Dee bench for two more years, before being promoted to head coach of Alaska Aces — the ECHL affiliate of Peoria. He stayed four years before becoming the assistant coach in Peoria under Bassegio.
As a new head coach, he’s a student of the game. “You have to,” said Payne. “You have so many things to learn and so much to continue learning that unfortunately for my wife and kids that hockey just every hour of the day whether it’s on computer or on TV. Being a fan obviously but also knowing there is thing to learn watching our own film. You have to be, in order to continue to find new ways for your team to be successful.”
Talking about what happened to Peoria the last two years, Payne is well aware of what is expected of him and the pressure that comes with it. “Yeah I feel the pressure but I’m not sure where it is coming more from my employer or me,” Payne said. “I want to be in the playoffs just as bad so I’m putting all that pressure on myself, it is something that I always have believed in. It’s an 80 game audition to get to the playoffs. You always have to earn that opportunity. So, regardless of what happened last year I have always set my mind to get in the playoffs to play for championship. That’s why we are here, anything less isn’t a successful season.”
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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