Fromer Blazer Brookbank to Make NHL Debut

October 9, 2003 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Oklahoma City Blazers News Release


Oklahoma City, Okla. – Former Oklahoma City Blazers defenseman Wade Brookbank is expected to play for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League in the team's season opener tonight against the Might Ducks of Anaheim, the Blazers' front office announced today.

Brookbank, a 6-4, 225-pounder from Lanigan, Saskatchewan played two seasons for the Blazers from 1999-01. In 114 games in Oklahoma City, he amassed 26 points (4-22-26) while serving 623 penalty minutes. Brookbank, always a fan favorite, was a member of the Blazers 2000-01 CHL Championship squad.

Following his career in Oklahoma City, he signed a contract with the Ottawa Senators of the NHL. He played two seasons in the American Hockey League, collecting seven points (1-6-7) and serving 365 penalty minutes in 81 games. Last week, he was picked up by the Nashville Predators in the NHL Waiver Draft.

"This will be my first NHL regular season game, so I'm more than a little excited," said Brookbank. "I was going to have a chance to play for Ottawa this season, but only if players were injured. This is a chance for me to play at this level. I need to keep it simple and work hard. After my first preseason game with Nashville, they told me to find a house. I took that as a good sign."

Brookbank will become the fourth former Blazer to skate in an NHL game after playing in Oklahoma City. He joins defenseman Viktor Ignatjev who skated with the Blazers during the 1994-95 season and with the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 1998-99 campaign, Cam Severson who skated with Oklahoma City during the 1998-99 season and with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim last season and Garrett Brunett who played three games in Oklahoma City during the 1995-96 season and played for Anaheim last night against Dallas.

The Predators open their season at home against the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim tonight at 7 p.m. (CDT). The game will be carried on Fox Sports - Nashville which is available on Cox Digital Cable as part of the NHL Center Ice package. Digital cable subscribers who don't haven't ordered the NHL Center Ice Package can watch the game as Cox is previewing the NHL Center Ice Package from October 8-14.

NOTE: The Blazers kick off its preseason schedule in Wichita tonight against the Thunder at 7 p.m. October 10 and 11 Oklahoma City will take on the expansion Colorado Eagles in Fort Collins, Colo. at 8 p.m. (CDT).



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