Longtime New York Post hockey columnist Larry Brooks died Thursday, Nov. 13 of cancer, the newspaper announced.
Brooks, 75, had received the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Elmer Ferguson Award for writing in 2018.
Brooks spent 38 years with the Post, covering the New York Islanders, Rangers and New Jersey Devils and writing a weekly, must-read Sunday ‘Slapshots’ column providing insider information around the league. He also worked on the other side of the hockey aisle, serving as vice president of communications for the Devils for 10 years between stints at the Post.
‘Throughout my career he was always there, asking questions,’ Hall of Fame goaltender Henrik Lundqvist posted on social media. ‘I had many conversations with Larry Brooks, almost daily about my game, the Rangers and the game as a whole. I respected his knowledge a ton. Thank you Larry for your commitment to the game, you will be missed. RIP.’
Brooks was considered tough and honest in his writing and opinions, especially on league matters, but he also served as a mentor to younger reporters who were breaking into the business.
He also fought for more access for journalists as president of the Professional Hockey Writers Association from 2001-03.
‘Larry didn’t pull punches and when you read his work, you always knew where he stood,’ NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. ‘He was a staunch advocate for the players and for the reporters who cover the game.’
Brooks and Rangers coach John Tortorella had a famed feud during media scrums. But the Post reported in its obituary that the feud had been long settled and that Tortorella had reached out to Brooks during the week before he died.
Brooks received hockey journalism’s highest honor with the Elmer Ferguson Award.
‘When I was PHWA president, I had the honor of informing him he had won the Elmer Ferguson Award and was going into the Hall,’ wrote Sportsnet’s Mark Spector. ‘When he choked up, I thought, ‘How can this come as a surprise to a guy as accomplished as Larry?’
‘But it did, because deep down he was always just a hockey beat writer. One of the best that ever typed in a lede.”