The Devils and Rangers honored late New York Post hockey columnist Larry Brooks with social media posts on Thursday.
“His coverage of hockey in the metro area was must read for every fan and those in the industry, while his impact in the media space was influential to the growth of the game he loved,” the Devils wrote on social media. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”
The Rangers added their own post which read, in part: “The entire Rangers organization mourns the loss of Larry Brooks, a titan in hockey journalism for nearly five decades.”
Devils announcer and ESPN radio host Don La Greca also weighed in on Brooks’ impact on him:
“He was a fixture for me at the Garden for 20 years, 20 years before that as a fan. Massive loss for the sport of hockey and journalism in general. RIP
Brooks, who also covered the U.S. Open tennis tournament, was a legendary hockey columnist who passed Thursday after a battle with cancer.
Via Mike Vaccaro of the Post:
He was 75. He leaves behind a son, Jordan, daughter-in-law, Joanna, and two grandchildren: 14-year-old Scott and 12-year old Reese. His wife, Janis, died in 2020…
“For the last three decades, no one covered a sports beat in this city better than Larry did on the Rangers,” Post Executive Sports Editor Chris Shaw said. “Well before the Hockey Hall of Fame enshrined him, Larry had already earned a place among the legends who have graced the pages of The Best Sports in Town.”
Vaccaro also quoted James Dolan, the owner of the Rangers, Knicks and Madison Square Garden, as saying that he and Brooks would meet off record periodically to discuss the team.