RIP Brian Heaton

[RobSqod]

Sad deal for sure. I just heard the news. Brian was a great guy, I remember a couple visits I had with him in the early 90s at his plant. He made some of my favorite pads and treated us like we were Hall of Famers playing in the show from day one even as minor league guys playing roller hockey.

[The West Wall]

Just to echo some of the things already said, great innovator of the game. I never talked to him personally, but have heard nothing but good things about him. He will be missed.

RIP Brian

[Gasman]

Oh my gosh.....this so hard to believe and take at the same time. I've talked with Brian so many times over the years and he's even called me on several occasions. We just saw him not long ago when we brought his product line into the store.

What a tragedy this is. Truly a sad day. Brian was an innovator and gave us some wonderful gear and ideas.

Condolences to Brian's family.

God bless

[hammer]

Would anyone be so kind as to post a full bio?

Thanks.

[digitalcrease]

What an unexpected loss to his family and industry. Speachless.

[Beazil]

58 is far too young. I've been both a Brian's and Heaton user in the past. Like so many of you, I'm in shock. I offer my condolences to his family and friends. I've heard nothing but remarkable things about this man, and we have lost a special person.

[mitdan]

You will be missed Mr. Heaton


Brian got his start in the industry in 1972, when he started working for Cooper.

One of the first things he developed at Cooper was the hm6 mask.


- Dan

[TxAg35]

Wow, im in shock, my first set of pads were Heatons... R.I.P Brian, my prayers go out to your family.

[LukePhillips]

Not much else to say at this point.

[flyersfan2788]

I don't think there will ever be enough good things said about Mr. Heaton.


Rest In Peace, sir.

Josh

I found some of the answers for some of the questions asked in earlier posts.


Taken directly from the BHG website.


Q: How did you get started in the goalie business?
A: In 1972 I was hired by Cooper Canada that at the time was the world's largest producer of hockey equipment. I graduated from the Ontario College of Art as an Industrial Designer and was fortunate to land a job in the sporting goods industry. Some of my early goal related products was the HM6 face mask that evolved into today's wire cage on most custom masks.

Q: Did you ever play goal?
A: No I did not. Although I played a lot of youth hockey I never played goal. I think though that it has been to my advantage because of not having any preconceived notions of what goal equipment should be. By not playing the position I have relied on the goalie to explain to me what he felt was necessary and then I was able to design his thoughts into a marketable product.

[gunleather]

Mr. Heaton was truely a class act. He helped me on many ocasions w/ how to repair my equipment.

[MooG]

Very sad news indeed. My condolences go out to his family and friends.

[Deezer]

A sad day for goaltenders all over the world. Brian was truly one of the greatest entrepreneurs and innovators in goaltending. To have built up three separate brands of goaltending equipment, Brian's, Heaton and BHG, of which two have been considered major, is nothing but amazing!

Condolences to the Heaton family

[DRE75HABS]

RIP Brian, I can't believe this, even though I was pre-warned in a phone call early this morning. I still have a pair of Heaton 6's I wore as one of my first ice pads, think I'll hang them on the wall now. I had an H10 trap, Blockades, and a H5 blocker, and all were beautiful pieces.

Makes me a little sad that I just sanded down my Heaton mask to have it painted, sort of wish I had kept the Heaton script down the sides and hung it on my wall.

Condolences to Heater and his family, may it ease your mind knowing how many people your father came in contact with and left such a great impression on.

[bc30]

The goaltending community is more than a bit poorer today - sad news indeed.