The Winnipeg Jets have announced the hiring of Dean Chynoweth and Davis Payne as assistant coaches for head coach Scott Arniel’s staff. They will join returning assistant coaches Wade Flaherty and Marty Johnson. Chynoweth is expected to oversee the penalty kill and defensive structure, while Payne will manage the power play and forward structure.
Chynoweth, 55, previously served as an assistant coach for the Toronto Maple Leafs for three seasons, focusing on the penalty kill, which ranked 8th in 2021-22, 12th in 2022-23, and 23rd in 2023-24. He also had stints with the Carolina Hurricanes from 2018-2021 and the New York Islanders from 2009-2012. Under his guidance, Carolina’s penalty kill ranked 8th, 4th, and 3rd. Chynoweth’s extensive coaching background includes roles in the IHL, WHL, and AHL, where he served as head coach for the
As a player, Chynoweth was drafted 13th overall by the New York Islanders in the 1987 NHL Draft. He played 241 NHL games with the Islanders and Boston Bruins, accumulating 22 points and 667 penalty minutes over ten professional seasons.
Payne, 53, comes from the Ottawa Senators, where he was an assistant coach for the past five seasons. He has also been an associate coach for the Buffalo Sabres, an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Kings, and the head coach of the St. Louis Blues. Payne won the Stanley Cup with the Kings in the 2013-14 season.
Before his NHL coaching career, Payne coached in the AHL with the Peoria Rivermen and in the ECHL with the Greenville Growl, Pee Dee Pride, and Alaska Aces, winning the Kelly Cup with the Aces in 2006. His expertise lies in working with forwards and power plays, achieving success with top-10 power play units.
Payne was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the seventh round of the 1989 NHL Entry Draft. He played 22 games for the Boston Bruins over eight professional seasons, recording one assist and 14 penalty minutes.
Chynoweth and Payne are expected to revamp the Jets’ penalty kill, power play, and defensive structure. The Jets are making key decisions this off-season as they prepare for the 2024-25 season opener.
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