WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers are excited to announce that Jason Payne has been named the team's new Associate Coach.

Payne, 50, has coached in the ECHL for the last seven seasons. His first coaching opportunity in the league came in 2018, when he joined the Cincinnati Cyclones as an assistant coach. During Jason's first season, Cincinnati posted a 51-13-8 record and 110 points to capture the Brabham Cup for the best regular season record in the ECHL. Payne spent one more season as an assistant coach under Matt Thomas with the Cyclones, before being promoted to the club's head coach for the 2021-22 season. Jason led Cincinnati to a 76-point finish and a playoff appearance in his first season as head coach, then won the Central Division Championship in 2022-23, as he guided the team to a 47-16-9 mark, good for 103 points. Payne spent two more seasons with the Cyclones, finishing his tenure with a 143-114-31 record in his four years as head coach. Last season, Jason served as associate coach for the Greenville Swamp Rabbits.

"Jason Payne has been a phenomenal coach in the ECHL, and we are eager to see him work with Nate DiCasmirro to build a winning team for the Nailers this season," said Nailers President & Governor Brian Komorowski. "Jason knows how to win in the Central Division, and his relationships with players he has coached before will help us drastically when it comes to recruiting. As a former Wheeling player and as an opposing coach, Jason understands what it means to be a Nailer, as well as the impact the team has on the community."

The Toronto, Ontario native also enjoyed a 14-year playing career, as he played professionally in the AHL, the ECHL, and the UHL. Payne was a physical player, who was willing to drop the gloves with anyone in his path. Jason appeared in 416 games in the three aforementioned leagues and totaled 27 goals, 38 assists, 65 points, and 1,448 penalty minutes. Payne's final destination as a player was Wheeling, as he played in 18 regular season games and two playoff contests with the Nailers in 2008-09. Jason becomes the sixth former Nailers player who has gone on to be a coach for the team, following Chris Jensen, Joe Harney, Derek Army, Brad Drobot, and Ryan Kuwabara.

"Jason Payne and I hit it off immediately, and I knew from the start that he is the exact coach I needed to work with in this organization," said Nailers Head Coach Nate DiCasmirro. "He has outstanding experience in the ECHL and he knows a remarkable amount of players, so that will be a huge help for me in my first season in the league. He is also a former Nailer, so he knows Wheeling and can help the players know what to expect. I am extremely excited to have Jason on our staff."

Jason and his wife Ashley have three daughters - 19-year-old Milajae, eight-year-old Malia and two-year-old Mylah.

"There can't be any more excitement for me than having the opportunity to return to Wheeling, where I finished my playing career," Payne said. "During my time there, I was able to understand what the fans are all about, as well as what they like to see both on the ice and in the community. My experience of being a coach in Cincinnati gave me strong knowledge of the Central Division, in addition to the ebbs and flows of an ECHL season, and the work that occurs behind the scenes. Speaking with Nate DiCasmirro has been amazing - he has a great mind for the game, he's experienced, and we have the same work ethic and drive to be successful."

Jason Payne and the Wheeling Nailers will begin the 2026-27 season in Indy on Friday, October 16th. The first home game is Saturday, October 24th against the Toledo Walleye. For information about season tickets, group tickets, ticket packages, and more, call (304) 234-GOAL or visit wheelingnailers.com. The Wheeling Nailers, considered one of the top things to do in Wheeling, West Virginia, provide affordable family entertainment for fans throughout the Ohio Valley.