BRENDAN BROOKS has returned to Braehead Clan as a player-assistant coach after one season away.

The 38-year-old first arrived at the Braehead Arena in 2015, scoring 22 goals and 49 points for the club and representing the Purple Army in the Champions Hockey League.

Brooks then moved to Elite League rivals Fife Flyers for the 2016/17 campaign, scoring 21 goals in 62 games, but his return to Braehead was confirmed by the Elite League club on Wednesday.

The Canada-born forward won gold with Great Britain at the end of last season after gaining citizenship, playing in all five of their World Championship Division 1B ties.

He will work alongside new head coach John Tripp ahead of the 2017/18 season and explained that his return to the club felt like a homecoming.

"It's good to be back,” he said. “We'd been talking about it and it's where it all started for me in my career in the UK and I'm very happy to be returning.

"I could never say anything bad about my time at Braehead the first time and that's why it made it hard for me to leave.

"I'm looking forward to working with John.  We've talked quite a lot on the phone already and we have the same outlook on the game.  It's something that's very exciting.

"I felt I had a good season individually at Fife last year in a very tough and competitive league.  I really enjoyed my time there, but I'm excited to be coming home.”

The club’s Hockey and Operations Director Gareth Chalmers believes that Brooks’ experience in the Elite League will prove to be a big help for Tripp as the new coach adapts to his first season in British ice hockey.

"I'm certain the news of Brendan Brooks returning to the club will be welcomed by the Purple Army and we're certainly glad to have him back," he said.

"Brendan was immensely popular during his first spell here and scored plenty of goals, so his contribution to this season's team will be hugely vital.

"We wanted someone with experience of the Elite League and someone who can play as well as act as an assistant to John.  When we looked at possible candidates, Brendan stood out.

"It's a change in our coaching set-up and I'm more than confident Brendan and John will work well together as we chase our aim of winning trophies.

"To that end, I want to extend my thanks to Richard Hartmann, who was assistant coach to Ryan Finnerty for the last two seasons.

"He played a key role for the team over the last couple of years in assisting with Ryan and we wish him well for the future."