Alumni Profile: Randy Martin

Randy Martin grew up in Wynyard, Saskatchewan and went to major in Sociology/Biology at the University of Saskatchewan from 1968-1972. Randy played for three seasons on the Huskies during that time.

Randy recalls fond memories of camaraderie and friendship with the Huskies. He remembers having a lot of fun after games going out with his teammates, playing “guts” on bus road trips, and the subsequent I.O.U.’S.  During his time with the Huskies, Randy earned the reputation of being a fighter on the ice whenever a member of the opposing team was too rough on his fellow Huskies during a game. He was given the nickname “Leotis” after the American boxer Leotis Martin whom the team had watched compete on television during their time at a tournament in the United States.

After graduation, Randy worked at the Correctional Centre at Yellowknife, NWT and shortly thereafter entered into Officer Training in the Royal Canadian Air Force in Chilliwack, BC. Training was extreme, there were over a hundred recruits with only 20ish graduating.  Randy was given the honor of a Queen’s Commission.  He recalls his platoon having to climb up and down the mountains of B.C. in the dark and continuous rain, as an endurance test.  After excelling in the physical endurance tests during his time in the military, Randy was offered an assignment which was classified Top Secret.  The directive came from Ottawa, however, due to family commitments he declined the opportunity, but often wonders why he didn’t give it a try. He worked for the provincial government in the department of Indigenous Affairs for a few years before deciding to settle down and begin farming potatoes in Saskatchewan. He then founded Quill Springs (after Quill Lake, Saskatchewan), a successful bottled water company in his hometown in Wynyard, Sask.  There were several challenges and consequently he was offered a position with a water bottling company in Chilliwack.  This eventually led to Randy acquiring the water source and property, approximately 23 acres on the Chilliwack mountainside in 2001.  The property and water source were sold in March of 2024.  For 23 years Randy and Laurie resided in Osoyoos, BC and Randy commuted to his property at Chilliwack.  Our fondest memories are those at our home on Osoyoos Lake when our family came for fun and frolic to enjoy the hot weather and the lake.

After the sale Randy and his wife Laure moved to Calgary, Alberta to be closer with family. Randy has made a couple of investments, one in Saskatchewan at Black Strap Lake and under his oldest son’s guidance the Cedar Grande Lodge is being restored in hopes of being a wedding and conference venue.

Randy and Laurie have three children, two sons, in the Calgary area, and a daughter who resides in the Wynyard area, eight grandchildren, four boys and four girls, six of which are hockey and ringette players.  There are even two goalies amongst the grandchildren, both doing very well.

Randy has so many fond memories of his time spent playing hockey with the Huskies and when the opportunity arises a few of them come together via phone or video.