Ross Brooks

Last updated
Ross Brooks
Born (1937-10-17) October 17, 1937 (age 87)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Height 5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Weight 173 lb (78 kg; 12 st 5 lb)
Position Goaltender
Caught Left
Played for Boston Bruins
Playing career 19581976

Donald Ross Brooks (born October 17, 1937) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who played three seasons with the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL) between 1972 and 1975. His NHL debut at the age of 36 made him one of the oldest rookies in professional hockey history. [1]

Contents

Playing career

Brooks had a long minor league career which included seven seasons for the Providence Reds of the American Hockey League (AHL), and shared the Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award for lowest goals-against average in the AHL with teammate Dan Bouchard in 1972. In the 1972–73 NHL season, the Bruins, who owned his rights, lost several goaltenders: top prospect Bouchard to expansion, star Gerry Cheevers to the World Hockey Association and veteran Eddie Johnston to trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs. This opened the door for Brooks' recall as the backup goaltender. He excelled swiftly, matching an NHL record set by Bruins' goaltender Tiny Thompson in the 1920s for the longest consecutive winning streak by a goaltender, [1] 14 games (since surpassed by Patrick Lalime).

Brooks played for the Bruins from 1972 until 1975, after which, upon the return of Cheevers to the organization, he played a single season for the Bruins' AHL Rochester Americans farm team before retiring. Playing for a powerhouse team that regularly finished around the top of the league standings, he compiled a career record of 37 wins, and only 7 losses and 6 ties with a goals against average of 2.63. His career-winning percentage is one of the highest recorded for goalies with 50 or more decisions.

Post-playing career

After his retirement, Brooks was a longtime executive for the Bruins' farm team in Providence, leaving that post in 2000. More recently, he managed the operations of Providence College's Schneider Arena. [2]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGPWLTMINGA SO GAA SV% GPWLMINGASOGAASV%
1954–55 Barrie Flyers OHA 116606906.27
1955–56 Lakeshore Bruins MJAHL
1956–57 Barrie FlyersOHA4311311258018244.23202120904.50
1957–58 Barrie FlyersOHA23138011014.783121801605.33
1958–59North Bay Trappers OHA Sr 127206305.25
1958–59 Washington Presidents EHL 26156011814.54
1959–60 Philadelphia Ramblers EHL211120502.50
1960–61 Jersey Larks EHL110060303.00
1960–61 Providence Reds AHL 220309.00
1960–61Philadelphia RamblersEHL6432284384027804.343031801304.33
1961–62Philadelphia RamblersEHL6828382408033704.9631801204.00
1961–62 Long Island Ducks EHL101060707.00
1961–62 Johnstown Jets EHL20201201608.003031801204.00
1962–63Philadelphia RamblersEHL6327333378027234.323031801304.33
1963–64Roving GoaltenderEHL169606814.25
1963–64 Providence RedsAHL3210180602.00
1964–65 Providence RedsAHL1211007257015.79
1965–66 Providence RedsAHL133917706605.14
1966–67 Providence RedsAHL329166184913704.45
1967–68 Providence RedsAHL19710111208204.3910020103.00
1968–69 Providence RedsAHL22710010978004.38
1969–70 Providence RedsAHL136124304.22
1970–71 Oklahoma City Blazers CHL 95304404.99101205015.00
1970–71 Phoenix Roadrunners WHL 101060505.00
1970–71 Providence RedsAHL121736574013.65
1971–72 Boston Braves AHL30148716396512.385222481202.90
1972–73 Boston Bruins NHL 1611139104012.64.90410020309.00.727
1972–73 Boston BravesAHL73791602.52
1973–74 Boston BruinsNHL21163011704632.36.917
1973–74 Boston BravesAHL53012801503.21
1974–75 Boston BruinsNHL1710339664802.98.884
1975–76 Rochester Americans AHL3420122205610323.004222391704.27
NHL totals543776304513442.64.90310020309.00.727

See also

References

  1. 1 2 McFarlane, Brian (2002). Real Stories from the Rink . Tundra Books. p.  29. ISBN   9780887766046 . Retrieved 4 October 2018. Ross Brooks rookie.
  2. Divver, Mark (12 January 2017). "Mark Divver: A hand from Milt Schmidt helped Ross Brooks make it with the Bruins". capecodtimes.com. Retrieved 4 October 2018.