The Hawks sure like their Brookbanks. They re-signed Wade to his third season at Rockford of the AHL and then inked his little brother, Sheldon, for a job with the big club. The elder Wade, who turns 35 in late September, will be used as a mentor for the younger players with the IceHogs. It's doubtful that he will get any time with the big club.
Brookbank is a career journeyman who has skated in a number of different leagues and with several teams. But to say that his fantasy or "real life" value is limited would be a terrible understatement. He first entered the NHL with the Predators in 2003-04 but has not had more than a pair of goals or assists in any given season.
Brookbank has been unable to translate a stunning 2006-07 AHL performance -- 53 points and 176 PIM -- into an NHL career, flunking out with Nashville, New Jersey and Anaheim in recent years. He'll likely join the Baby Penguins to start the 2009-10 campaign, with Ben Lovejoy thought to have the inside track as the team's seventh defenseman. Pittsburgh has loads of defensive talent in its minor league system, meaning that Brookbank is unlikely to serve as anything more than an in-season injury replacement.
Brookbank will probably see limited NHL playing time again in 2008-09. When he does play, expect only one thing; he has just eight points and 305 PIM in 100 career NHL contests.
If the Hurricanes suffer an injury or two at the blue line, and the coaching staff feels the team needs additional toughness, then Brookbank might get a callup. We think it's unlikely he'll get any meaningful ice time with the parent club.
Brookbank is a pugilist with few other skills. Don't bother with him on draft day.
His only value is his fists, which means he will not see regular shifts in the NHL this season.
