Remembering Larry Brooks

LAS VEGAS — They say you never forget your first love, and for hockey writers, that often means their first beat. For Larry Brooks, it was the New York Islanders before they became a dynasty back in 1976.

When The Post reached out to some former Islanders players for their thoughts on the Hall of Fame columnist, who passed away Thursday morning at 75 after a brief battle with cancer, the feelings were mutual.

The news struck players hard, similar to the bruising hits they faced during their careers.

Butch Goring was “shocked.”

Bobby Nystrom felt “destroyed.”

Denis Potvin simply shared that he was “very sad.”

Brooks’ relationship with players unfolded in a time when the interactions between athletes and writers were quite different.

In a January 2022 column honoring Islanders legend Clark Gillies, Brooks wrote about how many of the players were around his age and how they shared experiences both on and off the ice.

He recounted a night following a game, describing circumstances involving his wife and someone significant at a local spot. Their camaraderie lasted decades, but there was always a clear line—what played out off the ice never swayed his objective reporting.

Brooks would not have asked if he didn’t already know the answer.

Potvin reflected on their interactions, recalling, “I had a lot of respect for Larry. We could chat for hours, and I trusted that the next day, his article wouldn’t alter my words.” He noted, “Larry had a gift for writing and was genuinely curious. We understood what he needed to convey but trusted him to express our thoughts accurately.”

Nystrom, who, like Potvin, was part of Brooks’ initial Islanders squad, mentioned that players didn’t initially grasp his relentless dedication.

“He was a tough guy; he told it like it was, even if we weren’t keen on hearing it. Sure, we might have preferred a softer approach, but he understood the game enough to read between the lines,” Nystrom recounted, remembering his game-winning goal that brought the Islanders their first championship.

“He didn’t go looking for small details to criticize, just provided honest analysis,” he added.

Goring and Ken Morrow joined the team in 1980. Goring’s arrival from Los Angeles contributed to the team’s success, and Morrow was part of the famed “Miracle on Ice.” By this time, Brooks had switched to covering the Rangers but remained a respected figure.

Morrow praised him for his deep understanding of the sport. “He wasn’t shy about voicing his opinions—whether positive or negative. When you read his articles, you could tell he was working hard as a reporter, engaging with players and keeping fans informed.”

Goring, now a long-time television commentator for the Islanders, shared, “What I valued about Larry was his genuine passion for hockey and respect for players. He was straightforward, and if someone underperformed, he didn’t sugarcoat it. He steered clear of nonsense, just like I do.”

On a personal note, Potvin recalled how Brooks was more than just a writer. “He had a big heart,” he remembered, recounting how Brooks attended a memorial service for his brother, wearing a shirt and tie, which left a significant impression on him.

“Oh, that’s really sad,” Potvin said, reflecting on the loss.