During the time I wasn’t writing for The Morning Skate, I had the opportunity to work in professional hockey over the past three years. All that time was spent with the Allen Americans of the ECHL. They were by far the best memories I have made in the sport to date, and I was fortunate to work with some incredible people from the front office staff, training and equipment staff, coaches and of course the players themselves. One of those players who showed up in time for the Americans was a player named Mark Duarte.
Duarte, now 23, was one of the first players I had the opportunity to meet during the 2024-25 ECHL season and was an instant professional to the staff, fans and teammates. Before his time in Allen, Duarte spent time with the Rapid City Rush, also of the ECHL, and the Calgary Wranglers of the AHL.
Duarte is one of those guys that you just root for. The type of athlete who won’t let a fan go without an autograph or interaction. One of the ‘good guys’, as some would say. In the 202526 ECHL season, Duarte would start again with the Allen Americans, but would soon get the call to manage the Americans’ AHL affiliate, Belleville Senators. With a work ethic like Duarte’s, it was only a matter of time before he was back in the AHL, one step away from the show. (NHL)
I was fortunate enough to get some of Mark’s time recently and talk more about his experiences and time in the juniors, as well as his journey to and from the AHL.
Coming from the OHL, what are some of the biggest lessons you learned from your time with the Hamilton Bulldogs and Soo Greyhounds?
I was fortunate to be part of two fantastic organizations. Both teams played a key role in paving my path to professional hockey. My time at Hamilton really helped me grow as a player and as a person, and moving to the Soo allowed me to take on more of a leadership role. Being surrounded by great people in both places allowed me to mature both on and off the ice, and those experiences have truly shaped who I am today.
You were part of the OHL champion Hamilton Bulldogs in 2021-22. What do you remember most about that team and what was that experience like for you?
That was a dream come true. Being from Hamilton, it was special to be able to win this in my hometown. I remember how close our group was, and it was one of the best feelings ever to win the cup with all the guys I competed with all year.
You switched to your professional career. You started in the AHL with the Calgary Wranglers before gaining more experience in the ECHL with the Rapid City Rush. What was that first season like for you personally and professionally, and what did you learn most from your time with the Flames organization in general?
Yes, it was a great opportunity to absorb as much as possible. I learned a lot that year and got a clear idea of what I needed to do to take the next step. Rapid City gave me the opportunity to play a lot of minutes and build confidence at a professional level. Focusing on improvement every day and taking pride in the small details were the biggest lessons I learned from that season. Those habits have helped me enormously.
That brings us to our time here in Texas after you signed with the Allen Americans ahead of the 2024-2025 ECHL season. Can you walk us through the process of finding a new home and what your usual off-season looks like leading up to a new campaign?
Fast forward to the current season, you re-signed with the Allen Americans and quickly got the call to return to the AHL with the Belleville Senators. What was going through your mind as you packed up to make the trip back to the AHL?
I knew a few guys who had played in Allen and had heard nothing but good things. It’s a great place to play, and I’m fortunate to play in front of some of the best fans, owners, coaches and staff in the ECHL. I spend most of my summer training at home with Shield Athletics. I get to see a lot of friends and family that I don’t see during the season. I love to play golf as much as possible, and I also spend some time framing houses with an old coach I had growing up.
It is something you should always be prepared for. There was a lot of excitement going through my mind. My goal is to take that next step and play in the American League, so getting that opportunity is something I’m very grateful for. At the same time, I am proud to continue to be a part of Allen, and I appreciate my coaches and teammates who helped me get this opportunity.
Last question for you: What has this current run with Belleville done for you mentally? Since you’re only 23, your career seems like it’s just getting started. Where do you hope to see yourself in the coming years?
It’s nice to see that hard work is rewarded. You never know when the opportunity will come, so it’s been great to play with this group of guys over the past month. I want to continue playing at the highest level possible. The culture and level of competition in Belleville is something I want to be a part of and has pushed me to get better every day. My goal is to continue to improve, stay ready and put myself in a position to earn a full-time role in the AHL.
As of today, Mark Duarte remains with the Belleville Senators and has played in 16 games in the AHL this season. Thank you to Mark for taking the time to answer these questions and I look forward to hopefully seeing him in the NHL one day.
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