Hall of fame hockey writer Larry Brooks passes away at 75

One of the most profound and recognizable members of the hockey media landscape has passed away.

It was announced on Thursday that longtime columnist for the New York Post, and Hockey Hall of Fame writer Larry Brooks died at the age of 75 after a brief battle with cancer.

Brooks worked in hockey for several decades. He started with The Post in 1976, covering the New York Islanders, as well as the New York Yankees during their memorable run to the World Series in 1977. He began covering the New York Rangers in 1978, but took a hiatus to work for the upstart New Jersey Devils in 1982. There, he was the senior vice president of communications for 10 years.

He then returned to journalism in 1993, covering the Devils for The Post, before taking the reins as the Rangers beat writer three years later. Along with his consistent coverage of an Original Six franchise, Brooks began his Sunday column, Slap Shots, in 1995, which became popular both in the New York market and beyond.

Brooks received national notoriety for his infamous run-ins with former Rangers head coach John Tortorella, as Tortorella would be critical of “Brooksie” for his analysis of the team. It led to some awkward, yet humorous interactions between the individuals.

According to The Post, Tortorella reached out to Brooks this past week to check in, long after the two had formally buried the hatchet.

In total, Brooks worked at The Post for 38 years and became one of the more revered and polarizing writers the game has seen. It led to him being honored in Toronto, as he received the Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award, which is “in recognition of distinguished members of the newspaper profession whose words have brought honor to journalism and to hockey,” in 2018.

Ferguson also served as the president of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association from 2001 to 2003.

He leaves behind a son, Jordan, daughter-in-law, Joanna, and two grandchildren.