PARSIPPANY — Peter Lanigan was inducted into the New Jersey High School Ice Hockey Hall of Fame recently.
The Hall of Fame honors the contributions and accomplishments of these individuals who are worthy of recognition as examples for others to emulate and serves as a symbol of appreciation of the excellence, honor, and devotion displayed by these celebrated individuals.
The plaque Mr. Lanigan received read “For Recognition of your Outstanding Time, Effort and Contributions in the Sport of High School Ice Hockey in the State of Jersey, New Jersey High School Ice Hockey Hall of Fame, inducted on April 15, 2018.”
What started as a way to make some money in between acting gigs, turned into a lifetime of “acting” like an official for well over ten thousand games and more directly, over 1,500 high school hockey games over a 30+ year endeavor.
Peter has served the referee community as an assignor, seminar instructor, referee-in-chief of the AYHL and the MJHL and President of the local chapter of NIHOA. He has worked the RHI and currently works for the NHL as an off-ice official. Some of the big games (they’re all big) Peter has officiated in a proud career include multiple TOC championships and Public school championships, along with several Mennen and Gordon Cups and other Cup finals and semi’s. The “Best” officiating experience might have been when he did both the Mennen Cup and the Gordon Cup on the same day, with a few minutes to spare.
As a player, Peter was team captain both his junior and senior years at Hanover Park (’79). He went on to play at Elmira and then Upsala College, under, referee, Dave Sloan. After college, while pursuing acting, Peter was the hockey director at Totowa Ice World and then onto coaching stops at Hanover Park, Millburn, Hudson Catholic, Parsippany and currently Pequannock.
“I am extremely proud of this man and everything he does! For a humble man who looks after those more than himself many a time, it’s heartwarming to see him get the spotlight this time. Love you, Dad,” said Brian Lanigan.
Lanigan is also official for high school hockey and lacrosse, two of the sports his youngest son, Patrick, plays at Parsippany.
Patrick Lanigan is a Parsippany High School junior. (Click here see related article) Catherine Lanigan is a sophomore at Juniata, playing field hockey and lacrosse. The oldest child, Brian Lanigan, pictured with his dad above, is a senior communications major at Montclair State and webmaster of GottaLoveNJHockey.org.
The New Jersey High School Ice Hockey Hall of Fame was established in 2009 to formally honor the contributions of the many outstanding players, coaches, teams and contributors to New Jersey high school ice hockey.
He is happily married to his bride of 23 years, Barbara and has three young adult children, Brian, Catherine and Patrick.
