Prestigious memory guiding Jefferson senior to hockey broadcasting career

NEWARK - On a different day, Peter Fifoot might've pushed his nose up against the Plexiglas surrounding the Prudential Center rink to get a better view. On most days, Fifoot is watching National Hockey League games on TV at his family's Jefferson home.

But Fifoot had a chance to get up close to the action Thursday as he shadowed NBC Sports Washington play-by-play announcer Joe Beninati.

Fifoot, a Jefferson High School senior who has autism, made quite the entrance onto the Washington broadcast.

While on vacation in Washington D.C. with his mother, Antoinette Dominicci-Fifoot, in mid-November, Peter was asked a few basic "man in the arena" questions by NBC anchor Michael Jenkins at a Capitals-Pittsburgh Penguins game. He responded with such intricate analysis, Jenkins handed Fifoot his microphone and walked off in disbelief. Jenkins even joked he was going to get a job at the doughnut shop across the street.

Fifoot had another chance to show off his hockey knowledge when the Capitals visited the New Jersey Devils on  Thursday. He and Beninati watched the Caps' morning skate together. Fifoot also interviewed Washington goaltender Braden Holtby and head coach Barry Trotz — all on camera. 

He spent part of the game in the NBC Sports Washington broadcast booth. Fifoot had been prepping for about three days, studying "the Washington guys: their players, the coach, obviously, their past playoff success."

"I see myself as someone who wants to interpret the news and sports for other people, and let them know what's going on," said Fifoot, who is enrolled in Jefferson's new sports and entertainment journalism elective.

"I learned so much about how to call a hockey game, or any game. The best part is getting into the locker room, and getting to see the players and ask questions."

Though he didn't get on air Thursday, footage from his day at the Prudential Center will be used to re-introduce him to the CSN audience.

"What we do, it's work. It's hard. It's long hours. But most sports fans would love to do what we do," said Tarik El-Bashir, Capitals Insider for NBC Sports Washington. "The number of questions he asked: good, targeted questions, things he needs to know right now. ... He rattled off the Eastern and Western Conference playoff standings from 2012. I checked on my phone, and he was right. I can't do that, and this is my job."

Said Marie Clarizio, Fifoot's sixth-grade English teacher who now runs the journalism class, "I wouldn't be surprised if I turn on a game and see him sitting there, once they realize how much he knows. It's unbelievable. I can't keep up with him."

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Fifoot even does commentary while playing hockey games on XBox. When his parents, Steve and Antoinette Dominicci-Fifoot tell him to stop, Peter replies, "But this is going to be my career, so I've got to practice."

Diagnosed with autism as a 2-year-old, Fifoot didn't speak until after his mother — a teacher at Academy Street Elementary School in Dover for 31 years — got him to read at age 3. Antoinette Dominicci-Fifoot cut words out of foam and stuck them to the bathroom wall, and Peter spent hours in the tub sight-reading out loud.

Fifoot had years of speech therapy, as well as five surgeries before first grade to correct birth defects. But early on, he learned to take in information through reading. 

"She turned off the TV," Steve Dominicci-Fifoot said of his wife. "She didn't worry about cooking dinner. She didn't worry about anything. She worried about him learning to learn."

The most difficult part of broadcasting has been the social aspect, and Fifoot admitted he has to work on making eye contact with the camera lens — or his interview subject. A Devils fan, Fifoot was also a little disappointed not to be able to cheer on press row. 

Building his knowledge base has been no problem. Fifoot keeps up with current politics, and is interested in history, particularly World Wars I and II, and used to focus on animals. 

Said Steve Dominicci-Fifoot, "Peter grew out of the animals, but he's not growing out of sports. This is all he wants to do."

Fifoot didn't really get into sports until sixth grade. When Peter was heading to middle school, his older brother, Tony Irizarry, suggested he watch more ESPN to help him blend in. 

Fifoot, who previously said "sports were a waste of time," started playing basketball in Lake Hopatcong, and has tried out for the Jefferson varsity every year. Fifoot was part of the Falcons' cross country and track and field programs since he was a freshman. He is also part of the high school's chamber choir. 

"I (run) track, but hockey and football are my favorite sports to watch," Fifoot said. "I love the passion. I love the grit. I love the history, the beauty of it. People say soccer is 'the beautiful game,' but I think it's hockey."

Staff Writer Jane Havsy: 973-428-6682; jhavsy@gannettnj.com; www.dailyrecord.com/writerjane/