Alex Whitmore Brooks (born August 21, 1976) is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who played, as an undrafted player, 19 games in the National Hockey League for the New Jersey Devils in the 2006–07 season.

Alex Brooks
Brooks with the Lowell Devils in 2006
Born (1976-08-21) August 21, 1976 (age 48)
Madison, Wisconsin, USA
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 195 lb (88 kg; 13 st 13 lb)
Position Defense
Shot Right
Played for Jokerit
New Jersey Devils
NHL draft Undrafted
Playing career 2001–2011

Playing career

edit

Undrafted and out of college from the University of Wisconsin, Brooks took his game to Jokerit of the Finnish First League. The New Jersey Devils, attracted to Brooks' tough defensive play, signed the defenseman to an entry-level contract. Brooks spent four years with the Devils' minor league affiliate, the Albany River Rats. When veteran center Pascal Rheaume was traded, Brooks was named captain, and held that post even after the team relocated to Lowell.

In the 2006–07 season, when several Devils were injured, including Colin White, Johnny Oduya, and Brad Lukowich, Brooks was called up, playing 19 games and scoring 1 assist to go along with 4 PIM. Then, in a game against the St. Louis Blues, Brooks broke his foot, and was subsequently sent back to Lowell, and was replaced by Andy Greene. He returned to Lowell and regained his post as captain. Andy Greene flourished, and thus, Brooks was left in Lowell.

On August 9, 2007, Brooks signed on with the St. Louis Blues. However, with chances limited, Brooks provided a veteran presence in Peoria, the Blues minor league squad.[1] He played one season with the Chicago Wolves of the AHL before returning to Finland and Jokerit for the 2009–10 season.[2]

Brooks played his final professional season with Karlskrona HK of the Swedish Division 1 in 2010–11 before retiring and joining the Chicago Blackhawks staff as a pro scout.[3]

Career statistics

edit

Regular season and playoffs

edit
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1993–94 Wisconsin Capitols USHL 13 3 11 14 6
1994–95 Madison West High School HS-WI 24 13 28 31 12
1995–96 Green Bay Gamblers USHL 43 3 22 25 213
1997–98 University of Wisconsin WCHA 40 1 4 5 72
1998–99 University of Wisconsin WCHA 37 0 3 3 73
1999–00 University of Wisconsin WCHA 41 4 10 14 78
2000–01 University of Wisconsin WCHA 41 3 16 19 76
2001–02 Jokerit SM-l 53 1 3 4 109 12 0 0 0 11
2002–03 Albany River Rats AHL 66 0 7 7 56
2003–04 Albany River Rats AHL 77 2 6 8 100
2004–05 Albany River Rats AHL 63 0 6 6 83
2005–06 Albany River Rats AHL 58 1 4 5 81
2006–07 Lowell Devils AHL 21 0 2 2 6
2006–07 New Jersey Devils NHL 19 0 1 1 4
2007–08 Peoria Rivermen AHL 70 0 8 8 90
2008–09 Chicago Wolves AHL 50 0 10 10 58
2009–10 Jokerit SM-l 25 2 3 5 53 1 0 0 0 0
2010–11 Karlskrona HK SWE-3 11 0 2 2 10 10 0 4 4 8
AHL totals 405 3 43 46 474
NHL totals 19 0 1 1 4

Awards and honors

edit
Award Year
All-WCHA Third Team 1999–00

References

edit
  1. ^ "Alex Brooks player profile". Hockey Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2010-01-26.
  2. ^ "Kurinalainen HIFK syvensi Jokereiden tuskaa" (in Finnish). 2009-11-13. Archived from the original on 2011-06-06. Retrieved 2010-01-26.
  3. ^ "Badgers' Alex Brooks behind the scenes with the Blackhawks". madison.com. 2013-06-11. Retrieved 2013-06-11.
edit