Kirk Brooks, owner of the Tri-City Storm from 2009 to 2019, died this weekend in Las Vegas, according to a statement made by his family.
Brooks, originally from Vegas, bought the team and the arena (known as the Viaero Arena) in 2009 from Joel Weins for $4.3 Million. During his tenure as owner, the Storm won the Clark Cup in the 2015-16 season and won the Anderson Cup in the 2018-19 season, won by the team with the best regular season.
Brooks would sell the team after the 2018-19 season to a group of Chicago businessmen, led by Dave Vennetti.
Brooks was a staple in the Las Vegas hockey community, as well as being with the Storm. He owned the Las Vegas Ice Center, where the Storm have previously spent training camp.
There was no immediate comment made from the Tri-City Storm. The Storm are 0-0-1-1 after the DICK’S Sporting Goods USHL Fall Classic. The home opener is on October 4 when the Storm host the Madison Capitols.
