In six seasons at UW-Stevens Point, Chris Brooks has led the Pointers to a 119-45-13 (.709) overall record, while playing in one of the most competitive conferences in the country. In 2017, Brooks guided the Pointers to a fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. In 2016 Brooks led UWSP to its fifth National Championship in program history defeating St. Norbert 5-1 in Lake Placid, N.Y. Brooks has led the Pointers to three consecutive Frozen Four appearances, after finishing as the national runner-up in 2014 and 2015. In 2016 Brooks was also named DIII Coach of the year by USCHO.com. The 24 wins in 2015-16 are the most by a UWSP team since the 1992-93. Brooks was also named a finalist for the Edward Jeremiah Award, given to the Division III Coach of the Year in each of the last four seasons.
In his six years at UW-Stevens Point, Brooks has coached seven All-Americans (Lawrence Cornellier - 2017, Alex Brooks - 2016, Joe Kalisz -2015,2016, Kevin Gibson - 2015, Garrett Ladd-2014, Kyle Brodie-2014 and Kyle Heck-2012). He has also coached 33 All-WIAC players, including the first two WIAC Players of the Year (Gibson- 2015, Ladd-2014), and three Elite 90 Award winners Brandon Jaeger (2014-15), Evan Dixon (2016).
Prior to UWSP, Brooks spent three seasons as a coach at the professional level, where he led the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees to an 87-86 overall record and playoff appearances in two of his three seasons. He led the team to a franchise-record 35 wins and its first-ever playoff series victory in 2009.
As a player, Brooks lettered four seasons as a player at WMU (1992-96) and finished as the eighth-leading scorer in school history, compiling 57 goals and 127 assists for 184 points. Brooks led WMU in assists four straight seasons and twice captured the team scoring title (1992-93, 1994-95). He was a member of two NCAA tournament teams (1993-94, 1995-96) and was the recipient of the CCHA’s Rookie of the Year award in 1993. He also received Honorable Mention CCHA All-Academic status.
Brooks went on to play professionally for three seasons with stops in Amarillo (WPHL), Mobile (ECHL), Springfield (AHL), and Kalamazoo (UHL). He led the WPHL in scoring and assists during the 1996-97 season, posting 110 points (45-65-110) in 64 games, earning league Most Valuable Player status. After an 82-point campaign with Mobile, he returned to Amarillo and again led the team in scoring (48-57-105) and was the league leader in goals. He also started his coaching career that season, serving as a player/coach, while also being named team MVP and appearing in his second WPHL All-Star Game.
Brooks received a bachelor’s degree in communication in 1996 and a master’s degree in communication with an emphasis in coaching in 2007. He resides in Plover with his wife Jeannine, daughter Bryar and son, Barrett. Brooks is heavily involved with the local youth hockey association, serving on their coaches committee. In addition, he also speaks at USA Hockey seminars and runs the Chris Brooks Elite Hockey Camp during the summer in Stevens Point.
