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Journalist Larry Brooks, who covered the hockey world and the New York Rangers for the New York Post for almost 40 years, died Thursday after a brief cancer battle, NHL.com reported.
Brooks, who’s famously known for getting into arguments with former Rangers head coach John Tortorella, reported on the Rangers from 1978 to 1982 and again in 1993 to his death at age 75.
“The entire Rangers organization mourns the loss of Larry Brooks, a titan in hockey journalism for nearly five decades,” the Rangers said in a statement. “His coverage of the sport, the NHL, and the Rangers in particular for the New York Post helped connect our fans with the team and game they love … Our thoughts are with Larry’s family and friends during this difficult time.”
Here’s what to know.
Who was Larry Brooks?
Brooks began his journalism career at the New York Post in 1975 as a part-time clerk working the overnight shift, according to NHL.com. The next year, he started covering the New York Islanders before moving to the Rangers beat in the 1978-1979 season.
From 1982-1992, Brooks left the hockey writing world, serving as the New Jersey Devils‘ public relations director and then the team’s vice president of communications. He returned to the Post in 1993 to again cover the Rangers up until he took a medical leave of absence at the start of this season.
Brooks was selected for the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award in 2018.
“(Brooks) will long be remembered in the hockey world for his insightful analysis not only of the New York Rangers but the entire NHL, both on and off the ice,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. “Larry’s love of hockey was evident in his writing at the New York Post in two stints over nearly four decades. Larry didn’t pull punches and when you read his work, you always knew where he stood. He was a staunch advocate for the players and for the reporters who cover the game.”
He is survived by his son Jordan, daughter-in-law Joanna and grandchildren Scott and Reese. Brooks’ wife, Janis, died in 2020.
Emily Barnes reports on consumer-related issues for the USA TODAY Network’s New York Connect Team, focusing on scam and recall-related topics. Follow her on X and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@gannett.com.