RIP Brian Heaton

[ScottBattram]

Wow, what terrible news. I had the opportunity to visit Brian around 2001 at his home in Kingsville, he welcomed my wife and I into his home and we talked a lot about the hockey business as well as his hobby of fancy horseback riding, I believe is called DRESSAGE along with his Tennis matches with our mutual sewing machine mechanic Helmut and he also complimented me with what I had done in the business and he said he would someday be happy to go back to doing a similar business plan as I was doing (selling direct). Unlike a few in the industry I have encountered, Brian was a down to earth, humble individual who had a passion for this industry. Brian was a true innovator in a class with the likes of Mike Vaughn, Pete Smith. John Brown.

Brian will be missed and I am fortunate to have had the pleasure to meet with a legend in the industry and will never forget that moment.

[Beccaraptor]

Wow, I am deeply saddened by this. I never got the chance to speak with him but I've been a huge fan of his gear my whole life.
Rest in Peace Brian. You will be remembered.

[RichMan]

I can't offer much more than my respect and memories...and this...

A letter to TSN...in the hopes they run a small piece in his honor...

(let me know if you approve...i'll also link this thread as proof of his influence and our support)

"Hey gang...this is not a question but more so some news for you...

Brian Heaton, a well respected innovator/designer/manufacturer of goalie equipment has just past away yesterday from a massive heart attack. His gear was used by many in the pro ranks as by amateurs of all levels through the past 10-15years +. He was in the forefront of equipment for a long time in the company of many competitors.

Wether you do a peace on him or not out of honour for/to the goalie community world wide is up to you guys. It would be a nice gesture. A way to remember him for the great person he was and how loved and respected he was.

He will be missed.
RIP Brian...

Regards,
Rich "

[wyld1]

RIP Brian, & my condolences to your family.

Most of my gear is from his design team, I bought my TPS Trapper & Blocker when he was with them & then as I was unsure of which pads I wanted, I saw an interview with him not long after he designed the CCM Blockades talking about this new pad design & it's advantages. He seemed so nice, sincere & passionate in this new pad that I was sold.

[ScottBattram]

Originally Posted by RichMan

I can't offer much more than my respect and memories...and this...

A letter to TSN...in the hopes they run a small piece in his honor...

(let me know if you approve...i'll also link this thread as proof of his influence and our support)

"Hey gang...this is not a question but more so some news for you...

Brian Heaton, a well respected innovator/designer/manufacturer of goalie equipment has just past away yesterday from a massive heart attack. His gear was used by many in the pro ranks as by amateurs of all levels through the past 10-15years +. He was in the forefront of equipment for a long time in the company of many competitors.

Wether you do a peace on him or not out of honour for/to the goalie community world wide is up to you guys. It would be a nice gesture. A way to remember him for the great person he was and how loved and respected he was.

He will be missed.
RIP Brian...

Regards,
Rich "

Great Idea Rich...

Brians involvement in hockey goes back much more than 10 - 15 years though! From what he told me he went to design school, then landed a Job working for COOPER, he was instrumental in designing one of the first protective wire faceshields. I am not sure if he was referring to players cages or the goalie cage. Perhaps someone here knows better than I.

I can remember Heaton gear as a young goalie myself around 11 - 12 years old that was 23 years ago!

[Marcelo Cordoba]

Guys,

Unfortunately, I really didn't/don't know the family. I met his wife once when Brian came to California for a goalie show, and the only thing I recall is what Scott Battram posted with regards to his love for horses and dressage.

I'm sure that once heater feels comfortable to come on and let everyone know if there is something that can be done in Brian's name, he will.

For now, the many memories of Brian posted herein, as well as the condolences and well wishes to the Heaton family, will do.

On a personal note, I wish I had kept the original IceCap trapper; I sent it back to TPS and from there, it got sold off. I'm not sure who has it these days, but, at one time, thought I had seen it on eBay. I remember the product meetings at TPS and how he wanted to move forth with it and the management team just shut the project down and made him change the line because they thought that the glove wouldn't sell. Coming off of a highly successful XHALE line and a not so bad Contour line, Brian thought that the IceCap line would bring back sales with its innovation across the entire line, but moreso, the trapper.

The trapper was interesting in that there was absolutely no lacing on the outside of the trapper; not in the "T", NOWHERE. I remember that he had used scraps of Jenpro to make the trapper, so, it was comprised of 6 or 7 different colors. Imagine white, navy, royal, red, orange and yellow (cannot remember if there was another color) used all over the face of the trapper; it was quite a spectacle!

Originally Posted by sloth2946

Hey Marz,

Is there a way that we as a community might be able to make a donation to a cause that might have been near and dear to Mr. Heaton's heart as kind of a way as a community that was so positively influenced by this man, we can say 'thank you' and that he will be missed?

It might be a great idea. If so, please make it public information if you have it.

Thanks.

[RichMan]

Sorry Scott...i'm 39 but all i remember growing up playing is Cooper and D&R, an d i had no idea who was involved as designers for either. I remember Heaton gear in the '80s, as Brian's when i guess he was the part owner.

[towl33]

This is horrible news, God's speed Brian! May you live on through the great equipment that you have blessed us with over the years!

[sloth2946]

Originally Posted by Marcelo Cordoba

Guys,

Unfortunately, I really didn't/don't know the family. I met his wife once when Brian came to California for a goalie show, and the only thing I recall is what Scott Battram posted with regards to his love for horses and dressage.

I'm sure that once heater feels comfortable to come on and let everyone know if there is something that can be done in Brian's name, he will.

For now, the many memories of Brian posted herein, as well as the condolences and well wishes to the Heaton family, will do.

On a personal note, I wish I had kept the original IceCap trapper; I sent it back to TPS and from there, it got sold off. I'm not sure who has it these days, but, at one time, thought I had seen it on eBay. I remember the product meetings at TPS and how he wanted to move forth with it and the management team just shut the project down and made him change the line because they thought that the glove wouldn't sell. Coming off of a highly successful XHALE line and a not so bad Contour line, Brian thought that the IceCap line would bring back sales with its innovation across the entire line, but moreso, the trapper.

The trapper was interesting in that there was absolutely no lacing on the outside of the trapper; not in the "T", NOWHERE. I remember that he had used scraps of Jenpro to make the trapper, so, it was comprised of 6 or 7 different colors. Imagine white, navy, royal, red, orange and yellow (cannot remember if there was another color) used all over the face of the trapper; it was quite a spectacle!

Thanks Marz. Hopefully Heater will, when the time is right let us know how we can honor a guy who made some of the best gear out there and changed our worlds. I proudly wore my Helite IIIs for a VERY long time after I should have farmed them out. They were near perfection.

[Matt The Hammer]

Always felt honored to wear his name on my gear.

[Hockey3081]

Makes me glad I kept my Pro90z's.

Spoke to him on the phone back in 06 I think. Great guy. My jaw dropped when I read this.

You will be missed.

[Masked_Warrior]

Condolonces to his family. Boy what a shock. RIP.

[Colonial]

He was pure class.

Terrible loss.

Marc

[foodsample]

Man outta nowhere, I was expecting him to come out with all kinds of cool ideas in the future. Can't believe he passed away, my condolences to the family.

[madcow]

wow this is terrible, rip brian