Payne Veteran Presence

[Scurvy 1,108]

There is one word to describe Brian Payne’s rise to Veteran status in the VHL………. Perseverance.  It seems like just yesterday the Washington State Native was racking up PIMS playing for the WHL’s Everett Silvertips.  Undrafted in the VHLM he was signed as a free agent with the San Diego Marlins, offered third pairing defense minutes and penalty kill time.  He finished the season on the first D pairing and was maxed out in TPE.  But his was not good enough for Payne…he wanted more from himself.

 

 

 

A solid TPE earner, after one season, he found himself drafted 26th overall by the Warsaw Predators and 20thoverall by the Bratislava Watchman.  A year of seasoning in the E was good for Payne.  He buddied up with current Chicago Phoenix defensive star, Bo Johansson.  Payne credits Johansson from turning Payne from just a bruising defenseman to a more fine-tuned all-around player who can do more than just crush opposing players.  Working on the finer points of the game and eventually the new attribute system Payne poured his heart and soul into training (TPE Earning) and focused on becoming better with the sole goal of proving he was just as valuable as the 25 draft picks chosen before him., and to maybe make those teams that passed him pay if possible.

 

 

Joining the Warsaw Predators seemed like a dream come true for the young defenseman. A welcoming club, great leadership, and a fun locker room made the kid feel right at home.  His first year was stellar by comparison to his VHLM and E days.  Payne notched 16 goals 36 assist- 52 points, +33, 207 PIMs, and 235 hits.  Payne found his stride and became a physical beast ending up #2 overall in PIMS and #1 overall in total fights.  

 

 

Going into his sophomore season and finally feeling like an early veteran he continues to play the game with a bag of knuckles.  His attitude has shifted from his rookie season where he just wanted to perform well for the club to now being laser focused on winning for his teammates.  Payne was named assistant Captain on a club with some absolute studs, and he doesn’t take his role lightly.  The Preds are in a WIN Now mode and Payne finds he is sliding into his role nicely.  He is still TPE hungry and still very, very determined to make those teams pay for passing him in the draft. 

 

[Thunder 757]

Time for some dropping of the gloves.