In recognition of Black History Month, the ECHL spoke to the three black assistant coaches in the League – Cincinnati’s Jason Payne, Greenville’s Kahlil Thomas and Kalamazoo’s Joel Martin – about their transition to the coaching ranks and how they view their role.

Payne is in his second season as the Cyclones assistant coach after he served as the player development coach of the Niagara IceDogs of the Ontario Hockey League as well as general manager of the Georgetown Raiders of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. He also coached both the Toronto Patriots of the OJHL and the Mississauga Sens AAA program. Payne is also the owner of the Precision Skating School in Toronto. Prior to joining the coaching ranks, Payne enjoyed a 14-year playing career that saw stops in six different leagues, including 71 games in the American Hockey League with Cincinnati, Carolina, Worcester and Saint John. He also racked up 132 games of ECHL action and 140 games in the former United Hockey League.

Martin is in his second season on the K-Wings coaching staff after concluding a 15-year playing career, including nine seasons with Kalamazoo. Upon his retirement following the 2017-18 season, he ranked fourth in ECHL history in wins and tied for sixth in regular season shutouts. His 36 wins during the 2015-16 season rank as the fifth most in a single-season in ECHL history.

Thomas is in his second season in Greenville. He played in nine professional hockey leagues in three different countries for almost 700 games, before retiring in 2008. He transitioned to player development after the conclusion of his playing career in 2008, and before joining the Swamp Rabbits, he spent the 2016–17 season as general manager and head coach of the Oshawa Riverkings of the Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League. Thomas’ son, Akil, was selected 51st overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft and captured a gold medal with Canada at the 2020 World Junior Championships.

Did you always have aspirations of becoming a coach during your playing days?

Jason Payne: I love the game and enjoy being involved in hockey. In a role such as I had as a player, we spent a lot of time watching the game from the bench until it was our time to go out on the ice. We had to study the game to see what was going on and be aware of all of the surroundings in case something needed to be taken care of. At the same time, we also had to study the game and know the game and be in the best shape possible knowing that we had minimal ice time we could get at times so we had to be ready for when that opportunity called. That studying aspect of the game was crucial for guys to get better at it. I was able to keep my role by staying in great shape and making sure I was accountable on the ice. As my career started to wind down, I still wanted to be a part of it, to give back to the game. My last year playing, I was in Reading and doing some playing/assistant coaching there, as well as in Wheeling, when I was traded there, it was a good learning experience for myself.

Joel Martin: The thought of coaching came up in the latter stages of my playing days. When I started to get to the end of my career, I realized that was coming and thinking about what’s next and I realized that I really wanted to stay in hockey and try to help young players make it to the next level. It’s something I felt passionate about and wanted to do.

Kahlil Thomas: It was always something, even as a kid, when I made my ball hockey teams, I was still coaching them and everything, so I think coaching was something I was going to do anyway from when I was seven-years-old to all the way up.

What was the biggest adjustment for you from playing to coaching?

JP: It was just getting into the mindset of today’s player. After my career was over, I went back to Toronto and got myself back into the grassroots of the game. I went back there to coach “AAA” to see where kids’ minds were at and understanding the mindset and makeup of the kids in the new era. The more work you put in, the better prepared you are. You have to be willing to learn every day and be a student of the game. And that doesn’t only go for the players, that goes for coaches too.

JM: The difference in the workload and your schedule was the biggest adjustment for me going from playing to coaching. When you’re playing you’re only worried about yourself and your own body and what you need to do to be ready. Then when you’re coaching, you have 20-plus other guys that you’re worried about and you have to coach and be responsible for.

KT: The biggest adjustment is earning respect from the players. It doesn’t come naturally, you have to earn it and be positive with them and get to know them personally.

What is the biggest challenge you face as a coach?

JP: I wouldn’t say that it’s a challenge but I am thankful that I’ve had the opportunity to go back to the minor hockey level and understand it coming up. A lot of players that go into coaching have a difficult time separating being a player and being a coach. You have to find that fine line to separate yourself but you also have to find a balance because you do have to be sympathetic to the players, you want to build a respectful relationship that they know you’re there for their best interest and you’re going to work hard for them and in turn, they are going to do the same for you. People always say it’s a thankless job but it’s a job that you have to love. It’s work, and it’s hard work, but if you do it and you love it, then it shouldn’t be an issue.

JM: The biggest challenge is really the uncontrollable things, which I guess is similar to when you’re playing. The things you can’t control can be difficult to deal with, whether that’s injury, something along those lines. And it’s no different in coaching, the things you can’t control can be difficult. You can’t step on the ice and do the job for the players. You just have to focus on teaching them to do the best they can and hope they get the job done.

Do you think it’s just a matter of time before we see a black head coach in the National Hockey League?

JP: It’s a great thing to think about and a goal for guys to want to achieve. But the biggest thing is you have to be good to the game and the game will be good to you. Work hard, put in the work, give back, let the guys know you understand them. And as long as you put in the work in building your craft, the sky is the limit. It has to be your passion, it can’t just be your hobby. If you want to make it in this game, it has to be your passion and your love. You want to give everything you have. Hockey is for everyone and our goal is to give back to everyone and help everyone to achieve.

JM: Just to be a coach, period, in professional hockey is an accomplishment because there aren’t a lot of jobs. To be one of the few black coaches in professional hockey is even more extraordinary and it’s pretty cool. I love seeing it grow and trying to follow the guys who led the way, like Paul Jerrard, Eli Wilson and Freddie Braithwaite.

What do you attribute the increased number of blacks and other minorities getting involved in hockey to?

KT: I think it’s a path that right down from Willie O’Ree to all the way down to my son, Akil Thomas, just giving kids role models they can look up to. Guys like me and Payner, just paving the way for young men to get the opportunity. It comes down to economics. Hockey is very expensive to play and unfortunately it’s hard for an average kid of any color to play. It was tough with Akil financially for his hockey and everything, but we always found a way. To see any minority play is a great feeling and seeing more fans of color in the stands is great too.

What advice would you offer to a minority child who is looking to get involved in hockey?

JP: The more work you put in, the better prepared you are. You have to be willing to learn every day and be a student of the game. And that doesn’t only go for the players, that goes for coaches too.

JM: If it’s something you love to do, just follow your dreams and don’t give up. Have fun along the way and chase those dreams.

KT: Hard work defeats anything. Just keep on working hard and you can’t be denied if you’re doing that.