During my time away from writing for The Morning Skate, I had the opportunity to work in professional hockey over the past three years. All of that time was spent with the Allen Americans of the ECHL. It was by far some of the best memories I have made in the sport to date, and I was fortunate enough to work with some unbelievable people from the front office staff, training and equipment staff, coaches, and, of course, the players themselves. One of those players to emerge in time with the Americans was a player by the name of Mark Duarte.
Duarte, now 23, was one of the first players I had the pleasure of meeting coming into the 2024-25 ECHL season and was an instant professional to the staff, fans, and fellow 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 you just find yourself rooting for. The type of athlete who doesn’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 with the Allen Americans once again, but would quickly find himself getting the call to head up to the Americans’ AHL affiliate, Belleville Senators. With a work ethic like Duarte’s, it was only a matter of time before he was back up in the AHL, one step away from the show. (NHL)
I was fortunate enough to get some of Mark’s time recently and chat more about his experience and time in juniors, as well as his journey to and from the AHL.
Coming out of the OHL, what are some of the biggest takeaways you have from your time with the Hamilton Bulldogs and Soo Greyhounds?
I was lucky enough to be a part of two incredible organizations. Both teams played key roles in paving my path into pro hockey. My time in Hamilton helped me grow a lot as a player and as a person, and when I went to the Soo, I was able to take on more of a leadership role. Being surrounded by great people in both places allowed me to mature on and off the ice, and those experiences really 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 it in my hometown. I remember how tight our group was, and being able to lift the Cup with all the guys I battled with all year was one of the best feelings ever.
Shifting gears to your pro 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 take away most from your time with the Flames organization overall?
Yeah, it was a great opportunity to soak in as much as possible. I learned a lot that year and gained a clear understanding of what I needed to do to take the next step. Rapid City gave me the chance to play a lot of minutes and build confidence at the pro level. Focusing on improving every day and taking pride in the small details were the biggest lessons I took from that season. Those habits helped me tremendously.
That brings us to our time here in Texas after you signed with the Allen Americans leading into the 2024-25 ECHL season. Can you take us through that process of finding a new home and what your usual offseason looks like leading up to a new campaign?
Fast forward to the current season, you re-signed with the Allen Americans and quickly received the call to head back to the AHL with the Belleville Senators. What was going through your head as you packed up to make the trip back up 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 lucky to play for some of the best fans, ownership, coaches, and staff in the ECHL. I spend the majority of the summer training back home at Shield Athletics. I’m able to see a lot of friends and family that I don’t get to see during the season. I love getting out to golf as much as possible, and I also spend some time framing houses with an old coach I had growing up.
It’s something you always have to be prepared for. There was a lot of excitement going through my head. It’s my goal to take that next step and play in the American League, so getting that opportunity is something I’m really grateful for. At the same time, I’m proud to continue being part of Allen, and I appreciate my Coaches and teammates who helped get me this opportunity.
Last question for you, what has this current run with Belleville done for you mentally? Being only 23, your career is seemingly just getting started. Where do you hope to see yourself in the next few years?
It’s nice to see hard work pay off. You never know when the opportunity will present itself, so being able to come play with this group of guys for the last month has been awesome. I want to continue playing at the highest level possible. The culture and compete level in Belleville is something I want to be part of and has pushed me to get better every day. My goal is to keep improving, 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 foward to hopefully seeing him in the NHL one day.
The Morning Skate 