Herb Brooks

In 1981, Brooks took his first job in the NHL. He was hired by Craig Patrick to apply his innovative coaching methods to the New York Rangers, a mediocre team. The Rangers did well in its first season under Brooks, posting a record of 39-27-14 and making the playoffs. He was named the coach of the year by the Sporting News. The team did not fair as well other years, and Brooks was fired in January 1985. The team's record was 15-28-8, in part because of injuries to many key players and others not playing to their potential. In his three and a half years with the team, Brooks had a record of 131-113-41.

Brooks found employment with Jostens, the ring company, but soon returned to the coaching ranks. He went back to college hockey, coaching St. Cloud State College in the 1986-87 season. The team turned around under him, finishing in third place in NCAA Division III tournament.