Pete Lappin enjoyed an illustrious four-year career with the St. Lawrence University Saints from 1984 to 1988, where he became the program’s all-time leading scorer. His college tenure culminated in a remarkable senior season in 1987-88, leading the team with 60 points and earning several prestigious awards, including ECAC Player of the Year and AHCA East First-Team All-American honors. Lappin’s dominant play earned him a spot as a Top 10 Finalist for the 1988 Hobey Baker Award, presented to the nation’s top college hockey player. In a memorable moment of the 1988 NCAA Tournament, Lappin scored a hat trick against Hobey Baker winner Robb Stauber and the University of Minnesota to propel St. Lawrence into the National Championship game.

After being selected by the Calgary Flames in the 1987 NHL Supplemental Draft, Lappin spent the majority of his professional career in the minor leagues, primarily the International Hockey League (IHL). He was an immediate star, totaling 297 points (142 goals, 155 assists) in 309 IHL games for the Salt Lake Golden Eagles, Kalamazoo Wings, and Kansas City Blades. His IHL success included winning two Turner Cup championships and being named to the IHL Second All-Star Team in 1990. Despite his dominance in the minors, Lappin’s time in the National Hockey League (NHL) was limited to just seven games—six with the Minnesota North Stars during the 1989-90 season and one with the San Jose Sharks in 1991-92, before retiring from professional hockey in 1992.