John Halligan

Who was John Halligan?

John Halligan, former New York Rangers public relations director and NHL executive, died Wednesday, January 20, 2010, at the age of 68. The cause of death was not disclosed.

Halligan was a lifelong NHL contributor who received the Lester Patrick Trophy in 2007, an award he helped to create.

News of his death quickly swept through the NHL to the people who had crossed his path during his long career.

"He loved the stories of the game and, over his decades in hockey, told those stories with an abiding respect for the history -and humour - so that future generations of fans could enjoy them as much as he did," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said. "The NHL has lost a dear friend."

Halligan graduated from Fordham Preparatory School in 1959 and Fordham University in 1963 and joined the Rangers organization shortly thereafter receiving his degree. With a shoestring staff, he tried to get as many stories on the team as possible into city newspapers.

His job eventually got easier as the Rangers got better and eventually made the Stanley Cup finals. They lost to Bobby Orr and the Boston Bruins in 1972, though.

Halligan left the Rangers to work for the league in 1983, but returned to spend 1986-1990 with the Rangers before returning to the NHL until his retirement in 2006.