The hockey world and the New Jersey Devils lost a true icon in the hockey journalist world, as long-time New York Post writer and Hockey Hall of Famer Larry Brooks passed away Thursday morning at the age of 75. He had a brief battle with cancer.
Brooks or "Brooksie," as many called him, spent the better part of four decades covering the New York/New Jersey hockey scene. He was known for having the reports and news that many of us hockey fans in this area needed as well as wanted. He was diligent, insightful, and always on his game.
He was awarded the Elmer Ferguson Award in 2018. The honor, chosen by the Hockey Hall of Fame, recognizes distinguished members of the hockey print newspaper writing profession whose work has brought honor to both journalism and hockey.
While Brooks was more known for his coverage of the New York Rangers and New York Islanders, it was the Devils where he got his first big opportunity. From 1982 to 1992, Brooks was the Devils' Vice President of Communications. During those 10 years, Brooks had the opportunity to be part of the Devils' early years and their rise to become a three-time Stanley Cup champion. After New Jersey, Brooks returned to the New York Post and remained there for the rest of his career.
The New Jersey Devils remember Larry Brooks, New York Post columnist and former VP of Communications for the team. 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… pic.twitter.com/Mz6WV2HSxZ
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) November 13, 2025
One thing that was obvious about Brooks is that he was always an honest man. He said what needed to be told and didn't pull punches. As NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement on the passing of the journalist, "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." For many players, fans, to other media members, Brooks' work, both when it came to his articles as well as the constant YouTube videos he did covering the Devils, Rangers, and Islanders, was a staple, and his work was beloved by so many.
Brooks was the perfect example of what hockey coverage was all about in this area. If it weren't for him, many writers wouldn't have had the same dream of writing about the teams we care about.
He also touched the lives of so many people, and even though he spent more time covering the Hudson River rival Rangers, the Devils' fanbase always appreciated it when he took the time to cover the Garden State's team. This included a recent piece he wrote about back in May of 2025, discussing a Devils-Canucks trade involving Quinn Hughes.
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 https://t.co/1nAAfKnbVv
— Don La Greca (@DonLagreca) November 13, 2025
It's truly a sad day in the hockey and journalist worlds today. No one will forget all the amazing work that Larry Brooks did to cover all three teams, including the Devils, in the biggest media market in the country. He will forever be remembered as a great writer, but also as a great man to so many people.