Delight for Payette over GB junior role

ANDRE PAYETTE believes his success at getting the most out of a young Sheffield Steeldogs team was instrumental in him landing the Great Britain Under-20 coaching role.

The 36-year-old took over as Steeldogs’ player-coach midway through the 2010-11 campaign, but it was last year when he made his mark, leading them to a third-place regular season finish, as well as the play-off semi-finals and a Cup runners-up spot.

As well as looking to improve on that during the 2012-13 season, Canadian-born Payette will now lead GB’s youngsters at the 2013 World Championship being held in Ukraine in December.

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“My biggest asset as a coach, I feel, is working with young kids and I proved that last year in Sheffield,” said Payette.

“Being able to do that with the GB junior team will be a fantastic opportunity. I’m really thrilled.

“I intend to instil discipline, hard work and all the other things I have put into practice at the Steeldogs.

“We’re certainly going to be the hardest-working team out there in Ukraine. I’ve played for some great coaches over the years, both here and in North America, so hopefully I can pass that experience onto the GB youngsters.”

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Tony Hand, head coach for the senior GB side, for who Payette played under at Manchester Phoenix, said his former player was a “great fit” for the role.

“There were a number of fantastic applicants for the role,” said Hand.

“Andre is a great fit for the role and I know he will be well-respected and the kids will love working with him. He works with this age group on a daily basis which is really important.”

Payette, meanwhile, will continue with his work at Steeldogs, starting with Tuesday night’s second leg of the Bradfield Brewery Challenge Cup against Elite League outfit Hull Stingrays (7.45pm).

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The Steeldogs caused something of a surprise in the first leg in Hull on Sunday night when they came away with a 4-3 victory, goals from Ashley Calvert, Tom Squires (2) and Lloyd Gibson earning them a one-goal cushion.

Payette is determined to finish the job on home ice, believing his team’s win in Hull was a remarkable achievement.

“I believe in testing my team as early as possible,” added Payette. “For us to beat Hull at their place was a fantastic achievement.

“I sincerely believe we’ve got something special this season, even better than last time. Make no mistake, we’re going to be competing for that regular season title again.”

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Hull will have two more additions to their roster for tonight’s return leg, with defencemen Kurtis Dulle and Jeff Smith arriving in the UK on Monday.

They are now only awaiting the arrival of forward Dominic Osman and defenceman Shane Lovdahl ahead of their Challenge Cup game against Nottingham Panthers on Saturday.

Former Steeldogs favoruties Ben Bowns, Janis Ozolins and Chris Sykes return to Ice Sheffield for their first competitive action since switching to Hull in the summer.

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