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