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Toronto Maple Leafs: From Draft Reject to the Big Leagues

By Carter Loewen

MONTREAL, QC - APRIL 28: Jake Muzzin #8 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his goal with teammates Adam Brooks #77, Joe Thornton #97 and Justin Holl #3 during the second period against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on April 28, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - APRIL 28: Jake Muzzin #8 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his goal with teammates Adam Brooks #77, Joe Thornton #97 and Justin Holl #3 during the second period against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on April 28, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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LAVAL, QC – MARCH 08: Adam Brooks #14 of the Toronto Marlies  . (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
LAVAL, QC – MARCH 08: Adam Brooks #14 of the Toronto Marlies  . (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

The Beginning

In his first year under Paddock, Brooks saw more ice time than ever and would finish the season just under a point per game with 30 goals and 62 points in 64 games, good enough for the team lead.

Following the season, Brooks would enter the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, eligible as a 19-year-old. Unfortunately despite being ranked 176th by NHL Central Scouting among North American Players, Brooks was not selected with one of the 211 picks.

The next year, Brooks came back to Regina hungrier than ever. In 72 games, Brooks exploded for  38 goals and 82 assists for a total120 points. He would be awarded the Bobby Clarke Trophy for WHL Most Points and would also be named to the WHL First All-Star Team.

Obviously leading the WHL would turn some heads, regardless of your past struggles. So Despite re-entering the draft in 2016 as a 20-Year-Old, Brooks would finally be selected in the 4th round, 92nd overall by none other than the Toronto Maple Leafs.  (stats hockeydb.com, some info wikipedia).

Brooks would attend development camp that year but still be sent back to junior. Back in Regina for the 2016-17 year, Brooks would serve as Captain on the team and would put up another monster season, tallying 43 goals and 130 points before joining the Leaf’s organization for the next season.

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