Mark Hetherman – Founder Story
There are two parts to Mark Hetherman’s career.
The first was built in corporate boardrooms.
The second was built in Hockey rinks.
Both follow the same principle:
Build things properly, or don’t build them at all.
Part 1: Corporate Operator
Mark spent 25 years in senior corporate management, including leadership roles with Rogers Communications and within the DuPont distribution network.
He started at Rogers Video in 1992 as an Assistant Manager and quickly moved into leadership, overseeing the expansion of 62 stores across Ontario.
By 1995, he was selected to relocate to Calgary as VP Prairies, responsible for 77 stores across Western Canada.
This wasn’t a stable period.
Rogers was under pressure:
- Bond downgrades
- Stock price concerns
- Internal uncertainty
And then came a moment that would define how Mark approached business moving forward.
The Meeting That Changed Everything
Mark sat in a leadership meeting where Ted Rogers addressed the room.
The message was simple:
Stay the course.
Believe in the company.
We are going to wire the country.
At the time, it didn’t feel obvious.
The internet wasn’t mainstream.
The investment looked aggressive.
The market wasn’t convinced.
But the vision was clear.
And it proved right.
That experience shaped a principle Mark has carried ever since:
The best long-term opportunities rarely feel comfortable in the moment.
Building at Scale
After Rogers, Mark moved into a Vice President role leading a DuPont Corian distribution business in Seattle.
The move itself mattered.
At the time, cross-border executive roles were limited—this was a vote of confidence in his ability to build and lead at scale.
He:
- Launched and stabilized a new U.S. operation
- Returned to Toronto to lead the expansion into China
- Completed a multi-phase international growth Strategy
And then made a decision most executives don’t:
He left corporate life.
Part 2: Hockey Entrepreneur
In 2006, Mark transitioned fully into sports entrepreneurship.
Not as a hobby.
As an operator.
He applied the same structure, discipline, and scaling mindset from corporate into hockey.
What He Built
Over the next two decades, Mark:
- Built a 26-team spring Hockey program and operated large-scale tournaments
- Served as General Manager of the Burlington Cougars (OJHL Junior A)
- Founded the Ontario Rep Hockey League (ORHL), growing it into one of the largest independent leagues in Canada
- Served as Commissioner of the Prep School Hockey Federation (PSHF)
- Owned and operated Player development programs, including Goalie schools and shooting academies
- Owned a junior Hockey Team (Halton Ravens – GMHL)
He didn’t just participate in Hockey.
He built within it.
The Problem He Saw
After years inside the system, one issue became clear:
Hockey families were making major decisions with incomplete or misleading information.
- Tryouts
- Teams
- Leagues
- Development paths
Too often, decisions were based on:
- Assumptions
- Reputation
- Pressure
Not facts.
The Hockey Resource
That’s why Mark built The Hockey Resource.
A platform designed to bring:
- Clarity
- Structure
- Real insight
To a system that often lacks it.
This isn’t theory.
It’s built from:
- Corporate leadership
- League operations
- Team management
- Tournament Execution
What Makes This Different
Most Hockey platforms are built by:
- Media companies
- Coaches
- Content creators
The Hockey Resource is built by:
Someone who has operated at every level of the system.
The Philosophy
Everything comes back to one idea:
Better information leads to better hockey decisions.
That applies to:
- Players
- Parents
- Teams
- Organizations
And it applies to business as well.
Final Thought
Mark Hetherman’s career is not built on theory.
It’s built on:
- Running operations
- Making decisions
- Seeing outcomes
From boardrooms… to rinks.
http://thehockeytournamentresource.com
Joey Hetherman – Social Media Expert
* Five Years – Professional Golfer
* Three Years – Social Media Advisor