Jason Payne, head coach of the Cincinnati Cyclones (Buffalo Sabres' ECHL affiliate), became the only Black head coach across North American professional hockey in 2021. Today, he is one of two, alongside Kalamazoo Wings' Joel Martin who was hired in 2022.
Payne's life story is one of adversity and perseverance, and the fact that he even got to this point in history is a testament to his character, passion and purpose. It all begins in the St. Clair West neighborhood of Toronto, just blocks from St. Michael's Arena.