The Mark Duarte Story - Success is Not a Sraight Line, It's a Roller-coaster

 

Mark Duarte

 

Mark Duarte #8
Birthdate: September 27, 2002
Birthplace: Hamilton, Ontario
Hometown: Hamilton, Ontario
6'2' 195 lbs

Mark is the oldest child of teachers Mike and Juliana Duarte but not by much. His younger brother, Matthew, is five minutes younger and his younger sister, Jenna, is 16 months younger. The Duarte family is from Hamilton, Ontario, and still live in the house where the kids grew up. Five minutes into my conversation with Mark it was very clear how important his family is to him and the values his parents instilled in all of the children were very apparent.. Because the three children are so close in age, they are extremely tight, supportive of one another, and competitive.

The Duartes - L to R Matthew, Juliana, Mark, Jenna, Mike

The family competitiveness comes naturally but not the hockey. Mike and Juliana were college athletes, but basketball was their sport. They knew nothing about hockey when the kids first got involved but have become big hockey fans. When they were younger the kids played soccer, basketball, and hockey, but the time came because of time commitment and cost to pick one sport. As Mark tells the story, "It was tough and we kind of made the decision together, my grandfather wanted us to choose soccer, our parents wanted us to choose basketball, but we loved hockey and it is the sport that brought us all together." Mike Duarte's take was, "hockey is expensive so we tried to steer them to basketball."

Mark, Matthew, and Jenna played together in school tournaments. In his words, "In elementary school, we would have 3-on-3 tournaments. My dad was the coach which was pretty cool. How it worked is you have a certain number of girls and a certain number of boys so we all got to play together."

 

Matthew, Jenna, Mark - 2011

All three children are still involved in hockey. While Mark is playing pro hockey, Matthew and Jenna are playing college hockey at Brock University in Saint Catharines, Ontario which is about 40 minutes from Hamilton. Jenna is in her third year of eligibility and is majoring in Sports Management. According to Mark, her goal is to play pro hockey in the PWHL. Matthew is in his second year of eligibility and is majoring in computer science. He would also like to pursue a pro hockey career. Mark is trying to get him to visit now that his season is over, to experience Texas and watch a few games. Not to be outdone, Mark is also enrolled in college, taking an online general arts course through Lakehead University. Per Mark. "It is kind of funny our college progress is in reverse of our age, I am in my first year, Matthew is in his second and Jenna is in her third." 

Matthew, Juliana, Jenna, Mike, Mark - Boys 8th grade graduation

Mark and Matthew are super competitive with each other, but also super supportive. Per Mark they are kind of opposites, "We are pretty opposite in most stuff and have been from a young age. I am a right shot and he is a left shot. My favorite color is red, his is blue and we have different personalities. 

- Mark's journey to professional hockey was unique from a couple of perspectives. First, he played in his hometown of Hamilton until his 20-year-old overage year in the OHL, He never lived with a billet family until his last year in junior hockey when he played in Sault St. Marie (Soo Greyhounds). Mark told me his one year with a billet family, Cindy and Mike MacKay, was unbelievable.

- The second part of Mark's story that was unique to me was all of the setbacks he had to deal with along the way. He is the player he is today because of those setbacks. Mark recalled to me time and time again during our interview the message from his dad when he was disappointed was to put your head down and keep working. Work ethic was the most important thing. You will see at the end of this story some get-to-know-you questions and one of them was what do you remember your parents telling you as a kid that you still remember today. Mark didn't have to think at all. "Work ethic is something my parent stressed all the time growing up from minor hockey until today. My dad still texts me all the time reminding me to make sure I am in the gym, make sure I am eating right. Working hard and doing all of the little things right was always talked about."

- Mark and Matthew played together pretty much all the way through until their second year of juniors. There was a hockey rink (Chedoke Twin Pad Arena) close to their house where a hockey club, Hamilton Huskies Hockey Club, operated teams from tykes through juniors. Over the years the brothers worked their way up through the Huskies system and were playing AAA (highest level) by the time they were nine. However, in 2015-16 Mark and Matthew were cut from their AAA Hamilton Huskies team and went on to play AA for the Huskies organization. Here is how Mark described getting cut and playing back in AA. "That year was one of the best years of hockey for both of us. We had the opportunity to play a lot and we grew a lot as players. We learned about the side of not getting what you want. We were shocked when we were cut from the AAA team. All of our friends were still on the AAA team. We moved on and the AA year was great. I still talk to that whole AA team to this day. It was a special group and they were all from the Hamilton area. In 2016-17 we played for the AAA Hamilton Bulldogs. In 2017-18, our draft year, we went back to the Huskies AAA team. I got drafted to the OHL from that team."

Here is Mark's description of getting drafted in April, 2018. "I got drafted in the 14th round of a 15-round draft by the OHL Hamilton Bulldogs. I wasn't expected to get drafted because I had an okay year but not a great draft year season. I didn't even get a phone call. We were actually at a hockey tournament. We were at a Tim Horton's and I was watching the draft on my phone to see where my friends were getting drafted and my name popped up. The Bulldogs invited their draftees to their game that night. It was the playoff finals and it was a sold-out barn. I remember I walked into the suite where all the draftees were gathering and I was the only one not in a suit because I had just come from a hockey tournament so was in a tracksuit. It was a special moment being drafted by my hometown team that I had grown up watching and dreamed of playing for. 

While getting drafted was a big step, making the team was another story. In the fall of 2018 as a 16 year old, Mark tried out for the Hamilton Bulldogs but did not make the team. He then tried out for the Junior B team, Hamilton Kiltys B's, which was affiliated with the Hamilton Bulldogs, and made that team. Junior B teams could only have two 16 years old players. Mark and former Allen goalie Marco Costantini (who is also a twin) were the two 16-year-olds on the team. Mark tells this story about both of their brothers (Matthew and Anthony), who didn't make Junior B teams and were playing on U18 AAA teams. Coincidentally, both Matthew and Anthony got called up to the Kilty B's at the same time. As Mark described it, "That was a great experience having the two sets of twins from the Hamilton area playing in a Hamilton Kilty B's game."

Mark has another memory from that game, "When Matthew was called up it was early in the season and I hadn't scored yet. I remember it clearly; I was on the bench and one of his first shifts he went down and scored. I looked at my coach and he said you better score. Luckily, I was able to score in the game to match Matthew. It was really special to have that experience with him.

Mark played one season with the Kilty B's and had a decent year with 25 points (11G, 14A) in 38 games. That season playing was yet another example of Mark having to take a step back before taking a step forward, just like he had done several times before. Put your head down and work hard, just as his parents told him from a young age, would get him to the OHL.

The following season Mark made the Hamilton Bulldogs and started his major junior career in the OHL, but it wasn't easy. In Mark's words, "That first season with the Bulldogs was tough. I spent a lot of games in the stands watching and that is not what you want to do. I learned a lot that year and spending that time watching games fired me up. I spent a lot of time in the gym getting bigger and stronger. When you get to the OHL guys are bigger, faster, and stronger. During my first two years in the OHL, I didn't play a lot of hockey, but I spent a lot of time realizing this was what I wanted to do with my life and I had to commit to it. It is a hard decision when you are 17 years old. All your friends are doing their own thing, going to university, going to parties. Then the Covid year happened, that was a big year for me, my brother, and my sister. We were in the same house and all had hockey goals, so we pushed each other. The only hockey was rollerblading down the street with a stick and the green biscuit or stick handling ball."

The pattern of head down work hard continued to be the key for Mark, "After Covid (2021-22) I still had to try out for the Bulldogs as it wasn't a guarantee because I hadn't proved much yet after my first year with the team and the the Covid year off. I didn't know if the team wanted to bring in younger guys or draft picks. I reported to camp ready to go and did make the team. I made a name for myself early in the year showing what I could bring. It was penalty kill and a third/fourth-line guy who played a 200' game and blocked shots. That is what I took pride in. I knew what I needed to do if I didn't want to be scratched. That season was special, winning the OHL championship and making it to the finals of the Memorial Cup is a memory I will have for the rest of my life. I still talk to all of the guys from that team. We meet up in the summer. We had a very good team, but just as important we had a really good group and team culture."

 

Mark's OHL career was not over after that championship season, but his challenge to prove himself with his head down and hard work would be needed once again. He was waived by the Hamilton Bulldogs and signed with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, known as the Soo Greyhounds. The story is much more complicated than just being waived by Hamilton. Teams in the OHL can only have three overage players (20 years old). This is how Mark described his overage year, "After the 2021-22 season with such a special championship ending, I didn't know what would happen in 2022-23. I just kept training knowing Hamilton had had eight or nine overage players. Things were uncertain because it was unknown how many of the guys would turn pro. Several could have played at the AHL level but chose to play another season in Hamilton. I talked to the president and general manager, Steve Staios, (now the president of hockey operations and general manager of the Ottawa Senators) who offered to help me. He waived me so teams knew I was available and helped me find a spot with the Soo Greyhounds." 

After 20 years of playing hockey at home in Hamilton, Mark was off to play for the Soo Greyhounds. It was an important year for his growth and another chance to bring his work ethic to yet another team and follow his dad's advice of working hard from start to finish no matter what the score is and how many goals you have scored. Here is how Mark described his year with the Greyhounds, "I had a big opportunity with the Greyhounds, they allowed me to play on the power play which is something I hadn't done before. I penalty-killed, got some top-line minutes, and played a lot. It was a big stepping stone for my offensive game and my production. I got to play a 200' game with an offensive side and grew as more of an offensive threat."

After Mark's final junior year in which he finished with 48 points (20G, 28A) in 65 games he didn't know what was going to happen. He started to talk to some Canadian colleges, but his goal was to turn pro and sign an AHL deal. Here is how described it, "It was at the beginning of the summer and my agent gave me a call and told me Calgary was going to offer me an AHL deal and I was over the moon when I got that news. I didn't expect it but it is something I was hoping for. I knew I worked hard and was just hoping I was given an opportunity. Kyle Raftis (general manager) and John Dean (head coach) were so instrumental in my success with the Soo,"

"I played 15 games with Calgary last year spread out over the season. They had a really good team and it was very cool going into that organization. They are one of the top teams in the AHL and that is not just the hockey, but their culture also. It was something that I got to see and learn. It was my first pro season and the players were just awesome. Brett Sutter was still playing and now he is an assistant coach with the Wranglers. I didn't know what to expect as a first-year pro. It was my first time playing with guys over 20. I played third- and fourth-line minutes with some penalty kill. Being able to play at the AHL level and see what it takes was a great experience. You get to see their work ethic and ability and that is what I am working on."

How did Mark end up in Allen? After waiting to see what AHL opportunities would come his way for 2024-25 he started talking to ECHL teams as he was an ECHL free agent. B.J Adams reached out to him and Mark talked to James Hardie who had played in Rapid City before being traded to Allen last season. As he told me "Texas is a great place to play and live. Everything I heard about the fans; the staff and the area was great. It was kind of a gut feeling at the end of what would be best for me. I love it here."

#8 Mark Duarte in action

 

I asked Mark what he would say to the Allen fans after this disappointing season. This is what he had to say, "The fans here are awesome. The year we have had we owe the fans more and we know that. If I was them, I wouldn't be happy either. The way the year went prior, I wasn't happy, the guys in the room weren't happy about it, coaches, fans, we all weren't happy. We are all one, we are all together. I hope everyone realizes and understands we want to give our all every game. We want to win hockey games and eventually bring another Kelly Cup to Allen. We owe it to our fans, our families back home, and our coaches and we owe it to ourselves. It is what we are here to do, what we get paid to do. This is something I dreamed of doing my whole life. It is pretty cool to play pro hockey at a young age. I want to bring winning back to Allen. Whatever I can do to build that culture back and get better as a leader that is what I will do. I think we have made strides."

"Myles Jack wants nothing but the best for the team and he will do whatever it takes for us to win. This year hasn't gone our way, but Myles will do everything in his power to make things right and bring in the right people to make sure we win.

" Fergie (Brett Ferguson) has done a wonderful job of bringing us together. Watty (Brayden Watts) has been a great captain and leader for us. Our record doesn't show it, but the room does. It is a special group and it is just a matter of time. There are no excuses for us. We have to win, we have to learn how to win. It is frustrating getting poor outcomes night after night when you are giving it your all and playing the right way."

There are so many life lessons in Mark Duarte's story. Starting with the foundation of values he learned from his parents and the strength derived from family support. His career has been a rollercoaster of progress with many ups and downs. His persistence, work ethic, and doing things right have been his keys to success. There is no doubt in my mind there will be more ups than downs in his career and life. Mark is a great hockey player, but an even better person.

 

Here is a video from 2021 which is a Hamilton Bulldogs Feature on Mark that covers some of the information in this story, but gives you a much better flavor of the Duarte family. 

 

 

Some questions to get to know Mark a little better:

Q: Who is your roommate?
A: At the apartments it is Noah Kane. He just moved in recently and has been awesome. We have got to know each other a little bit. I wore #88 as a kid and was a big fan of his cousin (Patrick Kane) so we have talked about him. It is cool for Noah to have his cousin to look up to, be a mentor to him, and support him in his career. On the road, I have had several roommates but right now it is Matikka.

Q: What are your cooking skills?
A: They have gotten a lot better since I turned pro and living on my own. I cooked for Gorman and Kane yesterday. They said I surprised them with my cooking. My go-to meal is steak, but I made Chicken Caesar and kale for them.

Q: What is your nickname? I saw where your mom used to call you squirrel.
A: My parent used to joke around because I would always be distracted by the next thing and go from one thing to another. My nickname with the guys is Dewy.

Q: Who is your hockey hero?
A: I have several I grew up watching, but if I had to name just one it would be Alex Ovechkin. He is such a legend with the way he scores and the way he hits. As a kid, I watched him a lot and looked up to him.

Q: What is your first hockey memory?
A: When Matthew and I first started playing house league hockey. I believe this is correct; he skated all the way down the ice to our own net and he thought it was the other goalie. We were all trying to stop him but he scored and raised his hands above his head in a celly. My dad and I were yelling at him that it was the wrong net. We were very young, but that was funny.

Q: How would you describe your style of play?
A: I try to play with my heart every night. If it is scoring, having to block shots, having to penalty kill, I will do whatever my teammates need. I will do whatever it takes. I learned along the way you have to do all the little things right for the big picture of winning games and championships. I take pride in wearing my heart on my sleeve.

Q: You have worn several different numbers along the way (8, 60, 67, 88). Any significance?
A: When we were playing minor hockey, I wore 67 and my brother wore 76, my dad always enjoyed the flopped numbers. One year I went to 88 and he went to 77. My sister also wore 88. I want to say it was because of Patrick Kane, I was a big fan of his growing up.

Q: Do you have a favorite actor and actress?
A: I would say Adam Sandler and Jessica Alba.

Q: What is your favorite genre of music?
A: Country for sure. I used to be a big Rap fan but I have kinda transferred to the country side of things. I got a guitar this year, Liam Gorman got me into it. I have been playing my guitar and learning some country songs. My favorite country singer is Wyatt Flores.

Q: If you could invite any three people to join you for lunch who would you choose?
A: Billy Bob Thornton, Kevin Costner and Jason Statham.

Q: Can you think of something people would be surprised to learn about you?
A: People are surprised when they learn I am a twin.

Q: What do you like to do away from the rink?
A: Playing the guitar right now trying to teach myself and learn. I have been doing a lot of that recently. In the summer I like to play golf. My entire family is golfers.

Q: What chore do you hate doing?
A: I am not a fan of folding laundry.

Q: What do you have that has great value to you, but not so much value to others?
A: This gold chain and Italian horn (Cornicelli) charm I wear belonged to my grandfather. It is a symbol of protection, good luck, and strength. It is very special to be able to wear this. He passed before I got to know him at all. My grandmother gave it to our family. Me and my brother fought over it a little bit to see who would get it.

Q: Who do you admire as a leader?
A: I would say my dad. He has taught me a lot. There have been times we have butted heads and as a teenager, you never think you are wrong. I have had a chance to grow and learn and realize most of the time he was right. I learned so many lessons from him both on the ice and in life. He has helped me grow as a person and as a leader.

Q: What would you do if you weren't playing pro hockey?
A: That is a tough question because my life has been hockey, hockey, hockey. Firefighting has always grabbed my attention so maybe I would pursue that.

Q: Where is the most interesting place you have ever visited?
A: I would say Italy this past summer. It was my first time in Europe. Claire and I visited Palermo, Milan, and Cinque Terre. We got to experience the European lifestyle and what was going on over there. The food, the people, and a whole different lifestyle in a beautiful area.
Claire is Mark's girlfriend who is in college. She spent more time with him in Allen earlier in the season when she was taking online courses. She is now back home in Hamilton finishing up her degree at McMaster University. She is majoring in mental health and addiction. Mark and Claire met in high school and yes, she played hockey with Mark's sister growing up. And to complete the small-town story their parents went to high school together. 

 

Mark and Claire in Palermo

 

Q: Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?
A: I try not to. If there is something that I am doing that is working like a certain stretch or warmup I will stick to it, but nothing superstitious. I play sewer with the guys a lot. I like to get moving and play some music but that is pretty much it.

Q: Who is the funniest guy on the team?
A: Crank (Crnkovic) for sure. He is awesome and I love him. He is chirping funny and just a funny guy. The last two days I haven't practiced trying to heal up and he was in my ear about not being on the ice.

Q: When was the last time you lost something?
A: When we were just in Tahoe I lost my winter toque (stocking cap, knit cap). It was bad timing because the last day we were there it was cold.

Q: What do you like to do to kill time on the bus?
A: I play a lot of cards with the guys (Schnarps or Euchre). Once in a while, I will watch a movie but mostly cards.

Q: What is your best bus story?
A: This is the only one that comes to mind. It was this year and we were headed to Wichita. It was lights out and I was asleep in my bunk. I wake up in the middle of the night and I am freezing and shivering. I have my blanket, my hoodie and my toque on and I am still freezing. I rolled over and the heat vent by the window wasn't working. I was shivering, my feet were numb, so I got up and couldn't go back to bed. 

I always like to finish these interviews by hearing from some of those who impacted Mark along the way: 

"Mark has emerged as a leader for us on and off the ice. He leads by example He is always one of the hardest workers at practice, dragging others along with him. He has developed into a detail-oriented hockey player who is very coachable. He says the right things on the bench and leads by example on the ice".....Allen Americans coach Brett Ferguson

"I always knew Mark was special. What stood out to me with Mark when he played for me was his hands. The kid had the softest I have ever seen on a young kid. His ability to see the game was way different than anybody else around us. He was just head and shoulders above everybody else in our league and it showed every moment on the ice. Mark is a pretty funny guy and always fun to be around and I just really enjoyed having him.".....Andrew Beckerson, Mark's AA coach after he was cut from his AAA team.

"My first impression was he had a lot of skill and that was exciting for us as a coaching staff. Once we got to know him and how good of a genuine person he was it was even better. He always walks into the rink with a smile, but as soon as he hits the ice he is totally focused on the game, which is great especially when we had him at 16 when you are still trying to teach kids the game.".....John Barrett, Hamilton Kilty B's coach

"Mark Duarte personified everything we expect a Hamilton Bulldog to be. Mark came to the rink and gave his all every day. He earned his way onto the club and into a key role contributing to our OHL championship.".....Steve Staios, President and General Manager, Hamilton Bulldogs 

 

"Anyone who has been around Mark day in and day out sees what a a positive influence has been. There is always a smile on his face, he has had the right mindset every day and he has been a great fit for us in terms of where we are at. He has been a great influence for our guys.".....Kyle Raftis, General Manager, Soo Greyhounds.