Hi, I’m Mark. I began my journey with ProPacts after spending 14 years playing professional hockey, part of which was spent in the NHL with the Maple Leafs, Devils, and Oilers. I’m energized to share my skills and experience to deliver virtual workplace engagement training focused on peak performance and adaptation to corporate clients.

Athletes learn teamwork, communication, leadership, drive, and focus in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment. If you read a lot of job descriptions for top-tier companies, you’ll notice that those skills are in high demand – and companies want people who have a proven track record of excelling in high-pressure environments.

Athletes already possess many of the critical skills that top businesses are looking for; they just have to adapt some hard skills to succeed in their newfound environment. We provide resources and coaching to accelerate the transition from pro sports to the business world.

ProPacts was built to connect the dots: Helping athletes harness their incredible skills to excel in the next stage of life. Helping companies create more dynamic teams with proven winners to accelerate their winning formula.

Hi, my name is Victoria, a member of Team Canada National Women’s team and former NCAA collegiate player for Boston University. I’m thrilled to share my knowledge and experience to deliver virtual workplace engagement training focused on goal setting and competition with corporate clients.

I am proudly Indigenous. My background stems from The Mohawks Bay of Quinte, which is a Mohawk First Nations community within Hastings County, Ontario. I am proud to represent the First Nations community and help build a legacy through my family as well as continue to educate myself about the Indigenous community and help inspire others.

Most people will say I have achieved many accolades in my professional hockey career, winning a gold medal for Team Canada, becoming BU’s all time leading scorer, rookie of the year honors and finalist of the Patty Kazmaier Award. Many people would refer to these experiences as “defining moments.” From my perspective those moments did not define me, my character defined those moments and led me to those opportunities in time.

I define myself as a driven & motivated teammate who always looks to see the positive in any win or loss. Through communication, teamwork and different forms of leadership and goal setting– any loss can be a starting point for a new, bigger, better win.

These life experiences along with my communication degree have provided me well-rounded mindset & skill set that provide me with the ability to win in any environment that I encounter.

Hi, Jacob Ruest here, a professional Lacrosse player for the Colorado Mammoth of the NLL. I’m committed to sharing my skills and experience to deliver virtual workplace engagement training focused on communication and teamwork to corporate clients.

Excelling at a young age allowed me to entertain offers to pursuit athletics at an NCAA Div.1 collegiate school. I chose to attend Robert Morris University, where I graduated with honors and was named a captain in my senior year while getting drafted to the NLL.

Playing Lacrosse as a career was always a dream of mine but I never really looked at myself as anything else besides a physically gifted athlete. At Colorado, as I worked with the team and community, I developed an understanding of myself outside the sport and really honed my ability to lead and communicate. Currently, I am the Colorados union players association representative.

My education has also aligned with my practice as I have received a Master’s Degree from the University of Ottawa in Education with a specialization in the importance of multi-sport development in youth. This has helped me further my understanding and ability to communicate how the tactile learning environment can lead to mastery in leadership, communication, and teamwork abilities.

Hey, I’m Cody. I embarked on my journey with the ProPacts team after retiring from the NHL, playing 432 games split between the Avalanche, Wild, and Sabres. I’m enlivened to use my skills and experience to deliver virtual workplace engagement training focused on motivation and diversity & inclusion to corporate clients.

Following retirement, promoting hockey skills development and working with young hockey players have been my main focus. I’ve also coached the Buffalo Beauts, a professional women’s hockey team to the league championship game in the 2018-19 season.

I’m proud of my Chippewa/Oneida heritage and I’m a member of the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation. Through my Oneida line, I’m a part of the Wolf Clan. 

My Indigenous heritage has been something I’ve always valued. This passion has led me to travel to many First Nation communities across Canada and the USA where I host hockey clinics and speak with youth about my experiences. The message I convey is that hard work, dedication, and commitment can help them achieve their goals. I know this because during my own career, I had to overcome many challenges – and I was rewarded for my efforts.

I believe that involvement in sports can help youth in many ways, including wellness and by helping to provide a focus in life. The “Little NHL” Hockey Tournament was always a big part of the hockey season for my older brother Jesse and myself. Playing for several different teams over the years, we enjoyed playing with other Indigenous players, renewing old friendships and making new friends.

Working with various First Nation, Metis and Inuit youth, I aim to promote the benefits of healthy living through sports and wellness. Through on-ice training sessions and interactive learning engagements, I encourage youth to discover their personal power and abilities to achieve success in their own chosen life path.

Hi, my name is Mike Blunden, and over my 14 years journey in professional hockey, I personally know the highs and lows that life can bring. I’m excited to use my knowledge and experience to deliver virtual workplace engagement training focused on teamwork and adaptation to corporate clients.

From feeling on top of the world, scoring 2 goals in the finals for Canada in the World Juniors, winning the gold medal, to serious injuries, where I never thought I would be able to play again.

Through it all, I can name 2 qualities that set me apart and allowed me to continue my hockey journey – my adaptability and my personability which helped me to form leadership roles in the ladder years of my career.

To be a leader – there is a vocal component but, in my opinion, true leadership is helping teammates understand themselves, in new ways, to reach their full potential. You must be humble, accept criticism openly and adapt to changing circumstance for the greater good of the teams’ goals.

Everyone has good days and bad days and sometimes just asking the right question and listening to teammates can help elevate their energy and realize their potential; which in turn helps develop and cultivate a winning organization. This goes for teammates in any organization: to lead we always need to be listening, learning, and having an adaptable mindset to create a path of individual and team success.