MayorsManor Live Radio with LA Kings asst coach Davis Payne

After resigning his three unrestricted free agents earlier this summer – Colin Fraser, Dustin Penner and Jarret Stoll – Kings GM Dean Lombardi had his roster all but set. However, the team was still set to make one more addition in late July. Following an interview process that included putting guys to work at his ranch in Alberta, head coach Darryl Sutter was ready to name his replacement for outgoing assistant coach Jamie Kompon.

Enter Davis Payne, who just turned 42 years old yesterday.

His resume includes playing and coaching stops in the ECHL, AHL and NHL – including a 4-3 win by St. Louis over the Kings in Los Angeles, his first-ever as an NHL head coach.

After just 137 games behind the Blues’ bench though, he was replaced by Ken Hitchcock. Now, eager to return to the NHL, he joins us on the MayorsManor show today for a look back at his career on and off the ice.

Some of the topics we’ll touch on include:

– His relationship with Bill Ranford, Kings goaltending coach

– Being a member of the Phoenix Roadrunners, LA’s IHL affiliate in the ’90s

– Facing off with one of the Buffalo Sabres in his first NHL game

– Playing at the old Forum in Inglewood

– Penner looking to blackmail him

– Coaching Scott Gomez during the NHL Lockout

– The New Jersey Rockin’ Rollers

– Memories of former teammate Mark Bavis

– His tweets, moving to LA and much more

Give it a listen using the player down below.

Also, to see video of the Payne vs Boughner fight – along with a few other tidbits about the new Kings assistant coach – click here.

To keep the nostalgic vibe going, click here for the show with Jamie Kompon during the playoffs a few months ago.  Jeremy Roenick and Nick Nickson were also on that episode, so it’s full of some great hockey talk.

Follow @mayorNHL

Podcast: Play in new window | Download