Calder Brooks, newest Spokane Chief, puts in miles
Calder Brooks’ reward for driving 18 hours from Canada to Spokane was a trip back to Canada.
Brooks laughed about the prospect Thursday at the Arena, about 24 hours after he arrived in Spokane for his introduction to his new Western Hockey League team, the Chiefs.
The Chiefs acquired Brooks on Monday from the Prince Albert Raiders, in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft.
Brooks drove to Regina, Saskatchewan, a few miles from his hometown of Emerald Park, for a new set of tires before making the long trek. He spent Tuesday night in Lethbridge, Alberta, before proceeding to Spokane to meet his new teammates on Wednesday afternoon and his new billet family that night.
Brooks’ first practice with the Chiefs was Thursday, a quick preparation for tonight’s game against the Kootenay Ice at Cranbrook, British Columbia. His off-the-ice time was spent getting his cellphone and banking set up.
The 20-year-old forward can be forgiven if his head is still spinning a bit.
“The first thing I thought of was, ‘I’ve never played, obviously, for a U.S. team, so I was kind of excited,’ ” Brooks said. “One of the first things that came to mind was it would be a lot warmer climate, especially compared to Prince Albert. And it’s a good hockey city. I’ve heard nothing but good things about it.”
Prince Albert made the trade because it had four overage players on its roster and the league maximum (by Oct. 16) is three. The trade gave Spokane four overage players, which the Chiefs remedied on Thursday by releasing forward Marcus Messier.
“I briefly met (Messier) when I got here,” Brooks said. “I’m sure he’ll get picked up by somebody. It’s the way of the league.”
Brooks played 107 games with the Calgary Hitmen from 2011 through last Dec. 27, when he was traded to Prince Albert. His WHL totals are 144 games, 26 goals and 42 assists.
Brooks’ 18-year-old season with Calgary was interrupted when he had surgery on his left shoulder. Brooks, who is right-handed but shoots left, has had no problem with the shoulder since.
The one negative to playing in Spokane is the distance from his family, parents Lindsay and Calla-Dawn and 16-year-old brother Darby.
“My family won’t be able to see me play as much, but we do go back to Saskatchewan on that road trip (in February). And I think they’re going to make one trip out here. They think it’s going to be a good experience for me and they’re excited.”
Brooks said he’s played twice in the Arena, once with Calgary and last February when Prince Albert defeated Spokane 4-1. He’ll make his Chiefs home debut on Saturday against Prince George.
“The one thing I know is the chant the fans do after every goal and the gong hit,” Brooks said. “That’s something I’m looking forward to after our first goal.”