East Haven Honors Legendary Hockey Coach Lou Pane With 'Coach Lou Pane Way'

EAST HAVEN, CT—Lou Pane is undoubtedly one of the most accomplished and influential figures in Connecticut high school hockey.

The town of East Haven is paying homage to one of its most beloved citizens by naming the circle in front of the town ice rink 'Coach Lou Pane Way.'

The tribute recognizes Pane’s remarkable lifelong connection to East Haven hockey—from captaining the Yellowjackets as a player to leading generations of young athletes during an extraordinary 40-year coaching career, town spokesperson Ed Sabatino said.

A little Pane history

Pane played three seasons for East Haven during his sophomore, junior, and senior years and served as team captain in 1981. He continued his playing career at Quinnipiac from the 1981-82 season through 1984-85, playing for former New Haven Blades standout Jim Armstrong. Pane was named captain during his senior year.

At just 21 years old, Pane returned home and was entrusted with leading the East Haven hockey program.

"When I became coach, I was 21 at the time," Pane recalled. "Here I was, a youngster, and East Haven took a chance on me because I was so young."

That chance became one of the longest and most successful coaching tenures in Connecticut high school sports, Sabatino said.

Pane finished his career with more than 500 victories, placing him second in Connecticut boys hockey history behind legendary Fairfield Prep and Notre Dame-Fairfield coach Marty Roos, who retired with 536 wins, Sabatino shared.

Under Pane’s leadership, East Haven reached the state championship game seven times, including an exceptional stretch of four consecutive championship appearances. His teams captured state championships in 1998 and 2025, allowing Pane to conclude his career by bringing another title home to East Haven nearly three decades after his first.

Pane’s accomplishments earned him induction into the Connecticut High School Hockey Hall of Fame, but his legacy extends well beyond victories and championships.

"Forty years—it doesn’t seem possible," Pane said. "Looking back at all of the kids I coached and all of the families, it’s incredible. I coached some kids and later coached their sons. That’s when I knew I was getting older."

For Pane, the unveiling of 'Coach Lou Pane Way' brought his career full circle.

"Coach Lou Pane Way is a fitting tribute to a man who has given 40 years of his life to East Haven and generations of our young people," said East Haven Mayor Joseph A. Carfora. "Louie’s name belongs in front of this rink because his legacy will always be part of East Haven hockey."

"Never would I have imagined this when I played or coached," Pane said. "It was never a thought in my mind. I didn’t think I would do this for 40 years, to be honest. It was pretty shocking when they unveiled it and really touching."

The honorary roadway ensures that every player, family, and visitor arriving at the rink will be reminded of the coach whose name became synonymous with East Haven hockey, Sabatino explained.

For four decades, Pane helped shape not only successful hockey teams but also generations of East Haven athletes and families, Sabatino said.

'Coach Lou Pane Way' now stands as a permanent tribute to that legacy.