What happened to Larry Brooks? How did the legendary hockey journalist die?

Larry Brooks, a longtime hockey writer for the New York Post, died Thursday. He worked in hockey journalism for nearly 40 years. Many fans viewed him as one of the most trusted voices in the sport.

Brooks passed away after a short battle with cancer. He was 75 years old, and he had taken a medical leave earlier this season. He had covered the sport for so long that hockey legends like Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier were among his supporters.

"I've covered a lot of great, great players," Brooks said about his connection with hockey in 2018, via NHL. "I've gotten to know a lot of great players well. It's pretty cool on the day you hear you're getting into the Hall of Fame that you get texts from Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier."

Brooks began his career at the New York Post in 1975 as a part-time clerk. He later started covering the Islanders in 1976 and the Rangers in 1978. He covered the Rangers during their run to the 1979 Stanley Cup Final.

The Rangers released a statement calling Brooks a major figure in hockey media.

"The entire Rangers organization mourns the loss of Larry Brooks, a titan in hockey journalism for nearly five decades," the Rangers wrote. "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. "Larry's impactful work was rightfully recognized by the Hockey Hall of Fame when he received the Elmer Ferguson Award in 2018. Our thoughts are with Larry's family and friends during this difficult time.

In 1982, Larry Brooks left the Post to work for the New Jersey Devils. He served as the team’s public relations director and later vice president of communications. Brooks returned to the Post in 1993 to cover the Rangers again.

Brooks' wife Janis died nearly five years before him, in 2020. The respected columnist is survived by his son Jordan, daughter-in-law Joanna, and two grandchildren. He remained active in his role for decades, and his influence on hockey journalism will continue for years.

Gary Bettman's message after Larry Brooks’ passing

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman shared a respectful message after Larry Brooks’ passing. He said Brooks was well known for his strong analysis of the New York Rangers and the NHL. Bettman noted that Brooks’ passion for hockey, saying,

"Larry’s love of hockey was evident in his writing at the New York Post in two stints over nearly four decades," Bettman said. "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."

Bettman also mentioned Larry Brooks’ work with the New Jersey Devils, which strengthened his ties to the sport. He offered condolences to Brooks’ family and colleagues.

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Edited by Ankit Kumar