Listowel’s Brooks is named OHA coach of the year

Listowel Cyclones coach Jason Brooks has been named the Ontario Hockey Association’s coach of the year. The Listowel native and former University of Waterloo Warrior led the Cyclones to the Mid-Western Conference title this past season, winning the 2017 Cherrey Cup. The year before Brooks jumped aboard to coach the Jr. B Cyclones, in ’13-14, the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League team had won just 16 games. In subsequent years, and under Brooks’ guidance, the team has won 21, 33 and a franchise record 40 wins this past season. The former Ontario Hockey Leaguer also played for the Ottawa 67’s and the London Knights as well as the UW Warriors. In addition, Brooks served as an assistant coach with the Warriors and was a head coach and GM of the OHL’s Guelph Storm before becoming an assistant with the Niagara Ice Dogs in ’11-13. Brooks also serves as a mentor coach in the Listowel minor hockey association and finds time to coach two minor hockey teams in his hometown.