Brian Payne has arrived to season 81

[Scurvy 1,488]

Brian Payne #9

601 225lb

southpaw!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rookie Defenseman Brian Payne has had more ups than downs on his way to the VHL.  The Spokane Washington native grew up playing on ponds and minor leagues and always dreamed of making it to the show.  Oddly enough his midget team was called the Spokane Predators so it’s fitting he wears a Predator sweater again in Warsaw.   

 

Payne carved his way to the VHLM for the San Diego Marlins. He played steady there and had a bitter loss in the semi-finals of the playoffs his first year. Payne took this year to really learn the league and its added speed and (TPE requirements).  By the end of the season and playoffs Payne was playing on the power play and even adding some good point totals come playoffs. 

 

This year, while playing for the Bratislava Watchman he again suffered a tough loss in the VHLE playoffs to the Rome Gladiators and their unstoppable goalie.  This was a good season for Payne and he did improve offensively as the year progressed. 

 

 

 

Payne works hard on his game but is still nervous heading into his first season in the VHL.  The Predators have a veteran team with experienced defenseman.  It seems Payne will have to play a depth role for a bit until he finds his game and what works with the new attributes. 

 

Payne is the ultimate team player who will take any role of the club if it helps winning.  He will never be a point producing Dman like Bo Johansson or Degroot but he will quietly do the ugly things to help the club win games, especially in the playoffs.  He plays with a chip on his shoulder and loves to hit and fight.  Sometimes that type of behavior is costly to a club, but it comes with the way Payne plays.  

 

Payne has humbling expectations in his first year of VHL time.  He wants to contribute defensively for sure and with a physical presence.  He knows his minutes will be limited compared to his time in the M and E.  He’s ok with it.  He did mention that his biggest goal of the year would be to separate some Glue Clue from a few players on the Chicago Phoenix team.  We weren’t sure if Payne was joking or not but for Bo Johansson and Board Game Clue on Skates, they better mark the dates they play the Preds on a calendar, it should be a good one.