Great article, easily one of the most important figures in Arizona hockey history and definitely had an effect on me and my hockey playing days growing up here.
Randy used to play in my 40+ rec league at the now-closed Castle Sports Club. He wasn't speedy, but he would routinely dangle everyone coast-to-coast whenever he wanted to. Inline is played with 4 skaters. They had two in the box, and he still scored against us 2-on-4.
Randy is the best! I've known him since '89 when he was the Runners goalie (along with David Littman, who went on to a career with EA sports working on the NHL video game series). I was a 12 year old working in the Roadrunners locker room and Randy couldn't have treated me better as a kid. He even dragged me along to work at his goalie school at Oceanside one summer. Now, 30+ years later, BTM is outfitting my son for his Squirt league. One of the many amazing things about the hockey community is how small it is, even in metro of 5 million people.
Randy has always treated his customers so well. I started playing a few years ago and he was so kind and helpful when I was picking out some gear. This is a great article!
fun article, my son was outfitted by BTM when he was playing hockey, from the squirts up thru high school, his goalie equipment was top notch..thank you BTM..fun tidbit, my son hates cheese, as well
Great memories of 1989 Roadrunners opener - I was there and we relished the return of hockey after 10 long years of no hockey. The Coliseum was a great hockey venue with excellent sightlines. Small correction - the Roadrunners outdrew the Suns when they were winning championships in the WHL, before they were in the WHA.
Enjoy these articles about the fans. I can remember when inline skates first came out race directors in road running races had the big idea of including them in 5k races.
We’d be bent over with our finger on our stop watch anticipating the starters pistol and look over at these curious racers wearing skates....
Thanks Craig. Randy deserves every ounce of recognition and accolades sent his way for what he has done for this great sport in Arizona. He is an icon and a legend for those of us who grew up playing hockey here in the valley.
I took a class at Oceanside to learn to skate when I was about 50 years. BTM outfitted me with everything I needed including a Jill, which is a woman's protective hockey cup comparable to a jock cup. Who knew?? It came in handy in class when we played hockey, got hit with the first puck right there! As I told Nick Merkley when he was teaching me to shoot "I dominated that class".....of course they were all 9 years old or younger. Good read, brought back good memories. Kyle talks about his uncle at meet and greets.
Great article, easily one of the most important figures in Arizona hockey history and definitely had an effect on me and my hockey playing days growing up here.
Randy used to play in my 40+ rec league at the now-closed Castle Sports Club. He wasn't speedy, but he would routinely dangle everyone coast-to-coast whenever he wanted to. Inline is played with 4 skaters. They had two in the box, and he still scored against us 2-on-4.
Randy is the best! I've known him since '89 when he was the Runners goalie (along with David Littman, who went on to a career with EA sports working on the NHL video game series). I was a 12 year old working in the Roadrunners locker room and Randy couldn't have treated me better as a kid. He even dragged me along to work at his goalie school at Oceanside one summer. Now, 30+ years later, BTM is outfitting my son for his Squirt league. One of the many amazing things about the hockey community is how small it is, even in metro of 5 million people.
Randy has always treated his customers so well. I started playing a few years ago and he was so kind and helpful when I was picking out some gear. This is a great article!
fun article, my son was outfitted by BTM when he was playing hockey, from the squirts up thru high school, his goalie equipment was top notch..thank you BTM..fun tidbit, my son hates cheese, as well
Great memories of 1989 Roadrunners opener - I was there and we relished the return of hockey after 10 long years of no hockey. The Coliseum was a great hockey venue with excellent sightlines. Small correction - the Roadrunners outdrew the Suns when they were winning championships in the WHL, before they were in the WHA.
Enjoy these articles about the fans. I can remember when inline skates first came out race directors in road running races had the big idea of including them in 5k races.
We’d be bent over with our finger on our stop watch anticipating the starters pistol and look over at these curious racers wearing skates....
Thanks Craig. Randy deserves every ounce of recognition and accolades sent his way for what he has done for this great sport in Arizona. He is an icon and a legend for those of us who grew up playing hockey here in the valley.
I took a class at Oceanside to learn to skate when I was about 50 years. BTM outfitted me with everything I needed including a Jill, which is a woman's protective hockey cup comparable to a jock cup. Who knew?? It came in handy in class when we played hockey, got hit with the first puck right there! As I told Nick Merkley when he was teaching me to shoot "I dominated that class".....of course they were all 9 years old or younger. Good read, brought back good memories. Kyle talks about his uncle at meet and greets.