"We are extremely proud to have Nathaniel join us a skill development coach," said Coyotes President & CEO Xavier A. Gutierrez. "Nathaniel is a quality person and a very good coach. He has earned this opportunity and we are very excited to have him join our coaching staff. The Coyotes are committed to advancing equality, diversity and inclusion in our game and we will continue to do our part in the community and within the game of hockey to affect positive change."
"I'm beyond excited to be joining the Coyotes organization," said Brooks. "I would like to thank Xavier Gutierrez, Bill Armstrong and André Tourigny for believing in me. Last year, I left Arizona feeling great and I'm very grateful and fortunate for this incredible opportunity. I plan on making the most of it."
Brooks has been a skill development coach for over 15 years with experience training players in pro and minor hockey. He most recently served as an associate coach for the Ryerson Rams Men's Hockey team in 2021-22. Brooks previously was an assistant coach for Ryerson from 2014-2019 and was also a development coach for the Rams in 2019.
In addition, Brooks served as the Head of Coaching and Development for the Forest Hill Hockey Association. In 2019, he was presented with the Herb Ebisuzaki Coaching Award (GTHL) and presented at the Coaches Site Conference in Toronto. Brooks also played hockey at various levels including the GTHL, OJHL, OHL, USHL, and semiprofessional levels.
In September 2021, Brooks participated in the first year of the Coyotes' coaching internship program that provides young diverse hockey coaches with opportunities to learn and develop by working directly with Tourigny and his coaching staff during Development Camp.
As part of the Coyotes internship coaching program, Brooks and Duante' Abercrombie shadowed the Coyotes coaching staff led by Tourigny, took part in daily coaching and player meetings as well as assisted the staff with on ice drills.
