Payne Tabbed Top Ace
Published on May 28, 2003 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska â The Anchorage Aces have hired Davis Payne as their head coach for the 2003-04 season.
Payne arrives in the Last Frontier after two and a half successful seasons as head coach of the recently renamed Florence Pride, members of the Southern Division in the ECHL's Eastern Conference. He won at least 40 games in each of his two full years at the helm of the Pride, which had been known as Pee Dee prior to the upcoming 2003-04 season. Last season, the 32-year-old Payne led the Pride to a 40-26-6 record during the regular season and a first round playoff victory over 2001 Kelly Cup champion South Carolina before bowing to eventual ECHL finalist Columbia in the second round. Overall, his record stands at 104-67-17 (.598) in regular season play, 12-14 in the postseason. Payne has never lost a first round series in three postseason appearances, and twice has guided his club to victory under the pressure of a fifth and deciding game.
"Davis is a guy we've been looking at for a while and comes highly recommended by players, coaches, and front office executives alike," said Anchorage managing partner Terry Parks. "Most importantly, he brings what this ownership group and this community has been looking for, a proven track record behind the bench coupled with a desire to dive right into the Alaska lifestyle."
Payne was drafted in the seventh round by the Edmonton Oilers in 1989 after completing his freshman campaign at Michigan Tech. He scored 26 goals during his sophomore and junior seasons before injuries hampered his senior year of 1992. A 6-1, 190-pound winger, Payne averaged 20 goals per season over three years in the ECHL with Greensboro before being promoted to the AHL with Providence in 1995.
A year later, he found himself in the NHL, playing for the parent club Boston. In 22 games with the Bruins over two seasons, Payne recorded one assist and 14 penalty minutes. He played one year in the now-defunct IHL and two more in the ECHL for the Greenville Grrrowl before retiring in 2000 at the age of 29. A model of consistency as a player, the Kamloops, British Columbia, native never failed to score at least 15 goals in any of his eight pro seasons.
"I'm excited to come here and stare down the next challenge," said Payne. "My wife and I are looking forward to living in Anchorage and becoming part of what seems like a real hockey town." Davis and his wife of eight years, Jane, have two daughters, Allison, 4, and Lydia, 2.
The Anchorage Aces begin their first season of play in the expanded, 32-team ECHL October 24 at Sullivan Arena against Fresno. Season tickets remain on saleâfor more information, please call 258-ACES [2237] or visit the team's official website at www.anchorageaces.com.
ECHL Stories from May 28, 2003
- Condors Bring Back Both Behind the Bench - Bakersfield Condors
- Potential Grizzly Signs With Dallas - Utah Grizzlies
- ECHL Influence in Stanley Cup Finals - ECHL
- Payne Tabbed Top Ace - Alaska Aces
- Titans and Hooters Pair Up For Stanley Cup Finals Party - Trenton Devils
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