T H E C O A C H E S
JONATHAN BROOKS
IT’ S ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT THE KIDS
BY JOHNSTON HALL Photos by James Carey Lauder
THEY SAY IT TAKES 10,000 HOURS of practice to become an expert in a certain field. Although some may not believe the truth behind Malcolm Gladwell’ s 10,000 Hour Rule, there’ s no doubt that practicing a skill or vocation that often would eventually lead to profound abilities in that particular area.
If there are 8,760 hours in one year, how many hours would one accumulate by coaching hockey for the past 35-plus years? For Winnipegger, and well-known minor hockey coach Jonathan Brooks, the answer is easy.“ A lot,” he said.“ And if you’ re anything like me, you would have also spent thousands of dollars on hot chocolate at the rinks over the years.”
For some, driving to the rink in the middle of a Winnipeg winter is a chore. For others, it’ s manageable. But for current
Head Coach of the Winnipeg Twins midget team, it’ s routine. And that routine dates back many years.
“ My first season coaching hockey was either 1980 or 1981,” Brooks said.“ They didn’ t keep any records back then, but I do recall getting my official certification in 1983. I began coaching at Bronx and then moved through Melrose, Chalmers, North Kildonan, Kelvin, Morse Place, East St. Paul, Gateway and River East before taking on the Twins.”
The most interesting part of Brooks’ tale is not the length of his vast minor hockey coaching career, but how he actually got involved behind the bench.
“ I would have been 18 or 19 and dating my now-wife at the time,” the current North Kildonan resident reflected.“ I went over to pick her up for a date one day, and
72 | GAME ON | NOVEMBER 2017