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There were a million things spinning through Adam Brooks’ head after his debut Saturday night with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Near the top of the list was his time with the WHL’s Regina Pats, who’ve been instrumental in helping the 23-year-old centre realize his NHL dream.

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“I think about them a lot,” Brooks said Monday from Toronto. “When John (Paddock) came in, he kind of revitalized my career. That whole staff and ownership group, I wouldn’t be here without them. There was a point in my career where I was ready to shut it down and move on from the game.”

Brooks reached a crossroads early in his five-year tour with Regina after having very little to show for a limited role through two seasons.

At one point, he almost pulled the plug.

Photo by TROY FLEECE / Regina Leader-Post

“I was going to go play with my brother; he played for the Winnipeg Blues,” Brooks recalled. “My (junior A) rights got traded halfway through my 17-year-old year so I was thinking about going there at the deadline. But things didn’t unfold the way I thought they were going to and I ended up staying.”