Legendary journalist Brendan McCarthy, considered among the all-time greatest at his craft, passed away Saturday following a courageous battle with cancer. He was 66.

Affectionately known within hockey circles as the ‘Hockey Prof’, a testament to his encyclopedic knowledge for the game, McCarthy was a master storyteller for three decades with The Telegram.

On a personal level, he was a gentleman and counsellor to all who knew him, a mentor and friend to all. He maintained a modest but monumental presence in the minor professional hockey world and took great pride in sharing the exploits of athletes from this province.

Originally from New Brunswick, St. John’s would become his second home and the province would adopt him as one of their own. He was a key fixture in Q Radio’s newsroom until The Evening Telegram came calling in 1991. It was the same year pro hockey, and the St. John’s Maple Leafs, would arrive on the scene. McCarthy quickly became the club’s beat writer, becoming one of the best in the business. From 1991 until the Baby Leafs’ departure in 2005, his comprehensive and compelling game day reports and columns set the standard for the rest of the AHL. In fact, he and colleague, the late Robin Short, were awarded a James H. Ellery Award, presented for outstanding AHL media coverage.

In addition to his work with the newspaper, he provided colour commentary on Maple Leafs’ and Icecaps’ home and away games with fellow Hall of Famers and play-by-play men George McLaren and Brian Rogers on VOCM Radio.

From the St. John’s Maple Leafs and St. John’s IceCaps to the QMJHL’s St. John’s Fog Devils – and in recent years the Newfoundland Growlers – McCarthy’s work was unrivaled. His talent earned him an induction into the Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador Hall of Fame in 2020.

He is also a published author, having penned ‘Forward Thinking: The Danny Cleary Story’ in 2008.

McCarthy was a gifted journalist, among the all-time greats, but he will be best remembered as a gentleman and wonderful man. The sports community is mourning his loss today with tributes pouring in from minor hockey coaches to NHL executives.

Brendan is predeceased by his wife Audrey, the love of his life. He leaves to mourn his son Richard (Alicia) and grandsons, Alex and Ryan, who he absolutely adored.

Funeral services to be announced.