Mason Raymond: Before, During, and After the NHL

What does it take to make it to the NHL…and what comes after? 

Carlin Lutzer sits down with former NHLer Mason Raymond for a wide-ranging conversation about hockey, hard work, and life after the pros. 

From growing up on a farm outside Calgary to scoring in the NHL and representing Canada at the Olympics, Mason shares the highs, lows, and lessons from a decade-long career in professional hockey. 

He opens up about recovering from a broken back in the Stanley Cup Finals, navigating retirement, and his current life as a successful business owner in Cochrane. 

Whether you're a young athlete chasing a dream or a parent navigating the world of youth sports, this episode offers timeless wisdom on work ethic, resilience, and staying grounded no matter the spotlight.
 
 

Listen For

:45 What does Mason Raymond think about the evolution of modern hockey?

3:14 Which NHL team meant the most to Mason Raymond and why?

6:57 What advice would Mason give to his younger self starting out in hockey?

9:44 What was the high point of Mason Raymond’s NHL career?

24:37 What should parents know about raising kids in competitive sports?
 
 

Connect with guest: Mason Raymond, Former NHL Forward, Olympic Bronze Medalist, and Owner of Cochrane GM

Cochrane GM | NHL 

Connect with Carlin

Email | Website | LinkedIn | Facebook 

Transcript

Announcer (00:00):

Welcome to another episode of the Okotoks Podcast, brought to you by Carlin Lutzer Real Estate, your local connection.

Carlin Lutzer (00:20):

Welcome back to the Okotoks podcast. Today's episode sits right at the intersection of hockey, work ethic, and life beyond the rank. With minor hockey week underway and the hockey world fresh off the world juniors, I couldn't think of a better time to sit down with former NHL forward, Mason Raymond. Mason spent 10 seasons in the NHL, played over 500 games, represented Canada at the Olympics, and experienced the absolute highs and lows that comes with competing at the highest level of the sport. Here's my conversation with Mason. Well, Mason, thank you for taking the time to meet with me today.

Mason Raymond (00:59):

Hey, my pleasure. Looking forward to this.

Carlin Lutzer (01:02):

Absolutely. Now, we have a lot to talk about. Obviously, we want to talk about your career. We want to talk a little bit as it's minor hockey week. We want to talk about that. And it's just such a interesting time for sports as we ... There's so many different things going on. The money involved in sports is increasing with the gambling. We just came out of the world juniors and that hockey is just fantastic hockey. And of course, all of us Canadians are always a little bit disappointed that we don't get the gold. What are some of your thoughts on hockey and where it's headed today?

Mason Raymond (01:46):

Yeah, it's amazing. I think I've been retired now eight years from the game of hockey and how much has changed in eight years. And if you date back to kind of talking a little with the world juniors and how it's changed since my time when I would've been that age, I'm 40 now, but call that 22 years ago or whatever, boy has the game changed. And I'm not going to say for bad, I would even say for the good. It's fascinating to watch as a fan. It's high paced. The skill is incredible. Plays are made all over the ice. The game is quicker. It's faster. There's a ton of speed out there. So I enjoy watching it as a fan. I don't watch as much hockey as some would think because I used to play for many years, but when I can, I love watching the world juniors, the Olympics coming up, some of those types of things and those big games are a ton of fun to watch.

Carlin Lutzer (02:34):

Yeah. The Four Nations Cup was unbelievable last year. And the Olympics is going to be phenomenal hockey as well. So we have that all to get us through the winter lulls, I guess, to look forward to that. So you started your career, your NHL career. You played with the Vancouver Canucks, and then you went to Toronto. You played for the Calgary Flames. I'm really going to put you on the spot here, Mason, so be prepared. And then you finished your NHL career with the Anaheim Ducks. What was your favorite team? Is that fair question to ask? Did you have a favorite team that you played with and gelled with?

Mason Raymond (03:14):

My favorite team growing up was the Calgary Flames. I'm born just outside of Calgary and where I'm at currently at my worker space here in Cochran. But my favorite team that I'd play for, if you put it that way, was the Vancouver Connects for many reasons. It was a team I was drafted by. Of my 10 years, I spent six of my years in Vancouver. My wife and I bought our first home there. Our first child was born there. We had some great teams, some great memories. So I guess all of those factors kind of contribute to, if you want to call it my favorite team that I played for was there. But great memories and still to this day get treated very, very well and part of that alumni association.

Carlin Lutzer (03:57):

Absolutely. Well, anytime that you would go on a Stanley Cup run with a team, I'm sure you were naturally forever bonded with that group of guys.

Mason Raymond (04:07):

Totally. Some of my closest friends that I speak to in the game today are from my Vancouver days. I guess a lot of people get to see them now. Kevin Bieks, Roberto Lawongo, Alex Burrows, Jason Garrison, Dan Hammes. The list goes on. Again, we had some great years. And when you go to battle with guys like that day in, day out against each other, but also against obviously the opponent and have success, you create some great friendships.

Carlin Lutzer (04:33):

For sure. What would you say ... Obviously, there's so many young Canadians and old Canadians. I'm still hoping I have a chance to make it to the NHL, Mason.

Mason Raymond (04:44):

Never give up the dream. Never give

Carlin Lutzer (04:45):

Up the dream. But what are some things like things along your journey, things that you can attribute to the success you had in making it to the NHL? Obviously you had some talent, but there had to have been some other things that helped you get there. What are some things that you'd look back on and are thankful for that you had?

Mason Raymond (05:08):

Sure. Being from my roots, being from Calgary and just outside, grew up on a big farm. I was thankful to have a spot that my dad built me a rink all the time. I had the leisure of going outside the deck and he would build a rink right there. We had frozen ponds all around. I contribute to more touches than anything and getting more practice is going to make you a better player. We touched on how much the game has changed. Well, I see so many of these younger players, if you will. I mean, they dedicate so much time to the game of hockey, right? Now it's skating coaches and puck handling skills and agility and all those types of things. I contribute a big part of my success to having good coaches. And one of my biggest coaches was being my dad. To this day, still a guy I look up to.

(05:57):

I'm all ears when he's got something to say. We still talk hockey lots, but whether it's my kids or business and we do some business ventures together on the farming venture still, big part of that. So I contribute coaching and pushing me through tougher times that made me get to probably areas of life that I didn't know I could get to without being pushed. And being on the other side of the game of hockey now, it's kind of interesting the parallels between sports, business and life. It's cool. I can relate to those. And I guess it always goes back to, I wish I know what I know now 20 years ago when I was getting into the game more and starting to break into, I guess you can say, a career path.

Carlin Lutzer (06:40):

For sure. So it's going to be a little bit cliche and cheesy and all that stuff, but if you could back up and you could talk to your younger self, whether you're in your minor hockey or you're just entering into your junior hockey career, what would you tell yourself?

Mason Raymond (06:57):

Good question. It's interesting. I look back at that, again, you say the word cliche. I don't want to make cliche answers, but there's only so many things you can control in life. And what are in your control you focus on and you maximize those because they're within your control. In my businesses to my kids, I talk about the couple things that you can control day in, day out, and that's your work ethic and that's your attitude. And every day that's in your control, no matter what you're doing. And I found that to be something pretty powerful. So if I was to look back and only focus on those things, I think naturally we all worry about things that are out of our control. If you focus on those small things, I was always told by a coach one time, Boris Rabalka, he was the junior coach in cameras and the cameras Kodiak.

(07:43):

And he always talked about it. If you play good hockey, somebody somewhere is watching and they will find you. And I still believe that to this day in so many fashions. So if I look back at my younger self, what would I tell myself? Again, it was instilled by Be by my dad and by many's work your butt off. And if you do that, some good things can happen. And again, I think that in the game of hockey and I think that in life.

Carlin Lutzer (08:04):

Absolutely. And even watch the guy go back and I'm going way back in my vault because I'm quite a bit older than you, Mason. The players that made it to the NHL that maybe didn't have as much talent, but they had that work ethic that you just love to watch them because they went out there and they worked their butts off. And those players, and again, like I said, they weren't the most talented, but they stood out because you could tell that they really wanted it and they had a little bit of heart behind their play, which is unbelievable. I'm thinking way back in the day, like Ryan Smith for the Emmetton Oilers, Darcy Tuckers, those types of guys that just found that extra gear because of the passion that they had for the game, right?

Mason Raymond (08:53):

My roommate for four years was Alex Burrows. Many people learned to hate him, but what a good friend of mine and a true leader. He's a perfect example of a guy that really didn't have all the skills, but he had the want and he wanted it badly. I've met many of players or seen many players that, again, to your point, had all the skill in the world, but maybe didn't have the word want. Alex Burrows had that, got some good positions. We bugged low play and said, Ian Twins, all you had do is have your stick on the ice and squish the goals. But you know what? He earned that. He put himsself in some great positions to do that. And again, that goes back to something in your control, right? Yes. He worked his butt off and he opened some doors and he maximized that opportunity that he got with it.

Carlin Lutzer (09:32):

Yeah, absolutely. What would you say, and I imagine I could guess, but I'm going to ask you the question, what is the high point of your NHL career?

Mason Raymond (09:44):

Yeah, multiples. And as you go through life, you'll learn lots, I guess, about what could be or what isn't. As a kid growing up, I dreamed about the Stanley Cup. Yeah. Being on the outdoor rink, circling back, talking about walking off the deck and going, I dreamed about a Stanley Cup. A couple high points for me was my first career NHL goal. I remember like it was yesterday. We were in Anaheim 211. Jason Jaffry passed it across and I scored my first NHL goal. A vivid, vivid memory. That's more on the personal level. I run to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2011 was something that was amazing for me. And really what I didn't notice until the end of my career and was fortunate enough to do was to play in the Olympics. And that really was a huge pinnacle for me. I didn't realize what it was like to be an Olympian until I was an Olympian.

(10:28):

It's something I'm very, very proud of. So obviously usually most players, it's their success times and the good things that you had, but when you're on good teams and you meet some good people, it's pretty cool. And some special times for sure.

Carlin Lutzer (10:43):

Yeah. I can't find it in my notes, but I know I have them in here somewhere, but was that 2018 that you played in the Olympics?

Mason Raymond (10:50):

Correct.

Carlin Lutzer (10:51):

And you guys, you got the bronze that year?

Mason Raymond (10:54):

Correct. Yeah, that was the year. So I had my career in the NHL was coming to a close, if you will, and I went over and played in Burn Switzerland, which was an amazing experience for my family and I. And that was, didn't know going over at that point that the NHL players might not have gone. So the best players for Canada maybe weren't there, but we were the best players outside of the NHL at that point. So what an experience, what an absolute thrill. So everybody says to represent your country, pull that jersey over. I was able to represent Canada on multiple occasions with the Spangler Cup, world championships, and obviously the Olympics. That's actually my Olympic jersey behind me here in my office, something I'm super proud of and something I'll cherish forever.

Carlin Lutzer (11:41):

Oh, absolutely. Now, we talked about the high points. What about the low points? What are some of the low points that you experienced in your career?

Mason Raymond (11:50):

Yeah, sure. Life, sports are highs and lows. And how you get through those is I also think what makes you a better hockey player and a better person. Low points for me would've been probably later in my career when there was a challenge of getting the lineup and being a constant and knowing your role within it. And that came later in my career and that's tough. And I think you're seeing that more and more in today's game with certain players that are getting scratched. We're talking premier players that are getting scratched nowadays, right? So those are low points. Those are tough. Injuries. Injuries are tough. That's a mental side of the game. Hockey at the pro level and all sports, it's a business. It's a performance-based business and you got to prepare yourself to get back out and earn your job day in, day out amongst working with a team.

(12:40):

But some of those injuries, those were tough. Getting towards the end of my career and knowing that did I have much time left? Those are low points. Those are tough. The game of hockey, I owe a ton to. Little did I know the people I'd meet, the opportunities I'd get after, the businesses I can get involved with, I low a lot to the game. So just low points, again, were injuries, dealing with adversity. That adversary, again, could be cracking the lineup, getting the lineup, sustaining. There was a time in my career. My mind was strong, but I went to Toronto on a PTO, on a tryout. And I excelled through that like nothing and very proud of that and got a contract and kind of grew my career from then. But I wouldn't say that was a low point, but that was something that challenged me and I learned a lot from that time.

Carlin Lutzer (13:27):

Absolutely. You talk about injuries and I think the biggest injury you experienced was a broken back. How long was the recovery process?

Mason Raymond (13:40):

Yeah. So that's one of those, you talk about remembering your low points. And it's funny, you look back in the moment it was a low point. It was game six, Stanley Cup Finals. We were in Boston. The plan was to host the Stanley Cup that night. Didn't happen. We lost, unfortunately didn't happen in game seven either. But that injury took me a good eight months to come back from. And it's something I've learned to come from, believe it or not. The people, again, I've met, what I learned about the body, what was expected of me, how mechanically the body would move. And I've made great friends and you have your family to support you through those times. But yeah, I'd say that was my toughest injury. Sure. I sprained MCLs and broke thumbs and fingers and lots of little things, but that one was the longest.

(14:23):

And to come back from that, not only physically, but mentally, there's a lot that comes with it.

Carlin Lutzer (14:30):

Absolutely. And you just think, because did the Knucks go to game seven with Boston? Correct. Yeah. I know I'm not an athlete, but my thoughts on that is sometimes it'd probably be better to get swept in the finals as opposed to being so close. You think of the Blue Jays this year and just how many missed opportunities and the replaying in the mind of those opportunities that were missed and we could have won it here, right? No doubt. Sometimes contributes to those mental health lows throughout the off season when you've come so close and then you're dealing with injuries and then you're trying to get excited for September again. There's got to be some serious psychology going on there at times becoming so close. And then, okay, let's do it all over again. Let's try to do it again. Right?

Mason Raymond (15:27):

Yeah, definitely. Trevor Linden, medicine had Alberta Boy, somebody I kind of looked up to and was fortunate enough when I broke into league was Trevor's last year in Vancouver, but we played together. And he kind of said to me always, he's like, "I don't think you realize, kid, how tough it is to make the playoffs." At that time, it didn't sink in or he didn't understand a lot about that, but getting to those playoffs alone is a challenge. Getting to the Stanley Cup Finals, what a challenge. We just seen Edmonton go through two game sevens and heartbreak. And for us it was too, but at the same time, I believe that's a big part in how you take it and how you go through it. Corey Perry, people talk about Corey Perry, how many Sunday Finals has he been through? Now he does have a cup ring on his finger to show for it, but those were some of the pinnacles of my career.

(16:15):

I don't look back at my career with regrets in the word or anything like that, but I do look back at that Boston series and think, man, if we would've should have, and we all just watched the Blue Jays go through certain things. But again, I do look back at that as some fond memories and the bonds and the build and the people we met. And we always say nobody really remembers who lost the Stanley Cup finals in the last 15 years or even four years ago. Couldn't even tell you who it was, but you can tell who won it. So I get to hang with the Calgary Flames alumni now, and that's Colin Patterson, Theo Flori, Landon McDonald. The list goes on. But those guys got those rings and that's something that they will always be able to say that they got.

Carlin Lutzer (16:53):

Absolutely. What was it like playing for Toronto? Now you were there 2013 to 2014, original 16, a lot of pressure playing in Toronto. What are some of your thoughts about that?

Mason Raymond (17:08):

Amazing experience. As I mentioned there earlier, I went there on a PTO. I had a couple contracts that were offered to me earlier in the summer. I missed free agency as far as an offer that we thought I was to live up to and to do. But anyhow, went there on a PTO. So I had to prove to myself, more importantly, that I could still play in this league. Relationships are a big thing. Life and business, as I've mentioned lots. And Dave Nonas gave me another chance to kind of come there and go on a PTO. And Original Six, the history, really the universe of hockey. Very proud to have dawned on that jersey, lived through that and have it. For me, it was a good season individually. Unfortunately, after the trade deadline, we kind of fell apart a bit and fell short of the playoffs, but I thoroughly enjoyed my time there.

(17:57):

It was neat to experience that. Most of my career, majority of my career, I played in the Canadian market from Vancouver to Toronto to Calgary. And you could always kind of judge, I guess, kind of the pressures and some of the size of the media. When the media are carrying in ladders to stand up to get action on somebody for a post-game or interview or something, it's always to see how deep those reporters are. But again, really enjoyed my time for me, played pretty well there, gave my career another rejuvenation, and that was enabled me to sign in Calgary.

Carlin Lutzer (18:34):

Right, for sure. So was it a little bit ... I'm jumping over Calgary here and we'll come back to Calgary, but then the last team you played for was the ducks, and you mentioned playing in Canadian markets. What was the difference there between the Canadian markets and playing in the US?

Mason Raymond (18:53):

Yeah. My time was short in Anaheim due to my wife being ill and many circumstances. But Canadian markets, I guess you could say there's maybe more pressure to play there. Not that there isn't in any market, but you're more front page of the paper, whether you win or whether you lose versus in Anaheim or different markets, you're maybe halfway through the sports section to see it right. But for me, I love playing at Kmart. I really didn't know any better. I would say pressure is a privilege in some regard and how you dealt with it and how you got through it. So it was different. Palm trees to snow on the ground and what you were doing away from the rink, right? But I feel very lucky to play in the Canadian markets and really wouldn't would've wanted any other way being a Canadian kid and growing up through that, that was pretty cool and special.

Carlin Lutzer (19:46):

Absolutely. And then the third team playing for Calgary, playing for the team that you grew up watching as a kid, that must have been a pretty neat experience.

Mason Raymond (19:57):

It was. I had a couple good offers and free agency to go to some places. And I've always, as I said, I dreamed about playing the NHL, but my team was the Calgary Flames. I'd go to the Flames games with my dad and watch them. And that was a big thrill for me. So ultimately, I did decide on playing in Calgary. My time at Calgary didn't go how I had planned. You run into different obstacles and you talk about low points and coaches and certain things that didn't align and some injuries, but that's life and that's sports. And that actually, what I've learned from that is that's what also makes you a better person and a better human. But it's cool now because I'm part of the Flames alumni. I sit on the board there. I'm part of the executive board. I've made some great connections that have helped my businesses.

(20:46):

And that's part of what I get to do every day is be part of that group still. And people always ask, "What do you miss most about the game or certain things? Well, I miss being around the guys. I miss many things, but I still get to have that camaraderie with that Flames alumni and it's fun to be a part of.

Carlin Lutzer (21:01):

" Yeah, absolutely. And yeah, no doubt, you exude a strong work ethic. And even when they talk about your playing style, things that came up on the internet, elite, straight line speed and offensive instincts, dangerous off the rush and resilient following your major injury. No doubt the background that you came from, the farming background certainly helped your career to develop that strong work ethic. Yeah. And because that just, even with where you're sitting at today, knowing that you have switched the gear outside of the coming out of the NHL and now you are a very well-respected businessman in Cochran and have a very viable business because you own the GMC branch there.

Mason Raymond (22:03):

Correct. Yeah. No, I think there's no doubt my farming roots helped set the guidelines for what life was for me and what it was going to be and making my way to the NHL and how I got there. And when were those moments that you got there and everyone else? But it did. And it isn't business. I own and operate Cochran GM now and along with some other dealerships through some family and it's something very proud of. When I played the game of hockey, I worried about myself in a big way, right? Eat well, sleep well, get yourself prepared. And of course you worry about your teammates. Well, now I employ hundreds of people really between my dealerships and my farming entities. So excuse me, it's an honor. It's a thrill. I love building teams. And as I said, there's so many parallels between it.

(22:49):

And you can see my Olympic jersey behind me here. I hang my Calgary Flames jersey here in my office and it's great conversation pieces. And again, to work with this, and I still do a lot of stuff and sold a lot of vehicles to a lot of current players. And I love being part of teams. Building teams is a passion of mine. And we've been doing that since I bought this business here and I try to instill that in everything that I do.

Carlin Lutzer (23:16):

Absolutely. No, that's awesome. Well, okay, really weird question. The voice of GM is Will Arnett. Have you ever had a chance to meet Will Arnett?

Mason Raymond (23:27):

No, I haven't.

Carlin Lutzer (23:28):

No, that'd be kind of cool,

Mason Raymond (23:29):

Hey?

Carlin Lutzer (23:31):

No, I haven't. Yeah. I've been working on my voice. I'm trying to smoke a few more cigarettes and drink some whiskey so I can lower my voice. So I've always wanted to have a voice like Will Arnett, right? I love it. No, that is awesome, Mason. And obviously there's so many people on the outside looking in. There's people that have never played sports, but they think that they know sports, right? And they think, well, they have it so good. But the journey, even just to even get close, like you think of how many people are striving towards this goal and then parents, they're living vicariously through their kids. Obviously, your dad played it right. What would you say to parents that are ... Obviously they'd love for their kids to find success and play a sport, any kind of sport professionally, but what kind of thing would you say to a parent that really has a strong desire for their kids?

Mason Raymond (24:37):

Yeah, great question. So many answers that could come to that, but give your kid that opportunity, right? Give your kid that opportunity, whatever it may be, if that physically and financially fits to what's possible. But enjoy that ride. I mean, my son's 13. I coached him all the way up till this year, and now he's into that kind of era where he doesn't have a parent as a coach, which is also a good thing, I think, and to hear a different voice from himself. But I've learned that so much learn has come from sports, working as a team, the mental side of the game, those types of teams that you're building on, whether it's tennis, whether it's a sport where you're on a team, but it helps set you up for life. It helps set you up for obstacles that are ahead. And I think so much good comes from sports and I still to this day continue to play hockey when I can and get into tennis and do other games.

(25:35):

And what I would give advice to parents is enjoy that ride. It goes quick, give your kid every opportunity that it is. One of the things to this day that I don't think yet talked about much is the mental side of the game and the mental side of everything else what's going on. And I do believe what separates good from great is up in the mind for the most part and dealing with adversity and whatever could come your way. But again, sports, if you're willingness and you got the opportunity to play it, take that opportunity because man, some good stuff can come from. And ultimately the play, as I said earlier, can dictate where you're going to end up long term, but enjoy that ride because it goes quick and it gave me an opportunity to get to where I am today through sports.

Carlin Lutzer (26:21):

Absolutely. And no doubt there's some people that get swayed, they get lured, I guess, into things that kind of get their eyes off the prize as to what is bringing them there, whether it's a little bit of fame at the start or a little bit of money at the start. There's so many different things that are thrown your way as a professional athlete that ... Does the NHL walk you through a little bit of things like that as to, okay, here's how you need to go through these. If you want to be successful long term, long as possible professionally, here's some of the things that we suggest you doing.

Mason Raymond (27:04):

Yeah, definitely. I mean, I think it's continuing to evolve, right? Again, from when I broke into the league back in 2005 or whatever, 07, sorry, to what it is now, I think those have changed a bit. Again, it's a performance-based business. It's the best league in the world. There's only 32 teams playing, right? So there's not a ton of positions. So what can you do as go back to the same old story is control your work ethic, control your attitude, make sure those are on par and you can put your head on the pillow every night knowing that you've given it all every day to improve yourself in some sort of fashion. Advice that we would get from teams and stuff, yeah, ways to conduct yourself, ways to prepare yourself, being in shape. Again, something you can control. Now if you're not in shape, you're an outcast, right?

(27:51):

I mean, before training camp was to get into training shape, now if you're not in shape, you're missing the boat and you're already out, right? So you get a narrow window to take that opportunity and jump on it. So I think every Canadian kid's dream is to play in the National Hockey League. And for me, I look back at my career and think, geez, I divided that for 10 years, something I'm very proud of.

Carlin Lutzer (28:11):

Absolutely. No, it is great. And yeah, you just think of the conditioning and everything that takes place. And I think if people do make it to no doubt, even to the junior level, they've already instilled that work ethic and hopefully they realize how much work they put into their bodies eating right, exercising properly to get to that point that they don't want to get lurred by those things. They want to keep their eyes on the prize. And yeah, because yeah, that's a conversation I actually had with someone over the Christmas break is just the pressures and the kids that even at 12, 13, 14 years old are the ones that kind of shift the gear and realize, no, I'm making a huge commitment here to eating properly, sleeping well, and not getting alert early on into the habits that could destroy a career very quickly.

Mason Raymond (29:09):

Yeah. And then you mentioned 12, 13 year olds, my son's a 13 year old. And it's funny, I think in today's world, I mean, so many of these kids are dedicating their entire life to hockey. When I grew up, it was, hey, I played golf in the summer and I did baseball and he did some soccer, different things that I think are well-rounded. I get asked that question a bit, "What do you think was good for my kid or not? " I'm a believer in development. I'm a believer in doing multiple sports because multiple sports can make you good at being more of a well-rounded athlete, right? Yes. And again, I think that carries into life. I'm on the other side now where I see the other side of it. And again, playing good hockey or playing good tennis or whatever it is, ultimately somebody will find you and you do those things.

(29:50):

But being a well-rounded human, I defied the odds by 10 years playing in the National Hockey League, retired when I was 33, 34 years old, and I hit the real world, in my opinion, a young man, but in the hockey world, I was an old man. So you got a whole life ahead of you after sports in theory, and that's in any pro sport, right? So if you play into your 30s now, you're probably closer to a premier player. Again, we have these young 18, 19, 20 year olds coming to the league that are fantastic players, hugely energetic and are fun to watch, but the average career is short, right? So again, as you lead up to all those things, and I went to college route, something I'm a little biased towards, got an education and something to kind of go back on that again, leads me into life and to business.

(30:37):

So again, I owe a lot to the game of hockey. It's taught me a lot and the people I've met along the way, something I'm very thankful for.

Carlin Lutzer (30:43):

For sure. So did you end up with a degree in Minnesota?

Mason Raymond (30:48):

It's funny, I kind of joke at the same time. I was a college dropout because I did turn pro. My ultimate dream was to turn pro and play in the National Hockey League once I was drafted and figured out that that could become reality. And I did do that. I never did end up going back and getting my education. Business is something I've always loved and hence why I'm in multiple businesses and employ lots of people. But some of the foundation that was set for that, I am still a believer and a pusher of going and getting your education because it is something that's very important in this world because again, when hockey ends, what's next? What is it that's going to continue to drive you to move forward with life and continue to build a family and inflation and everything that comes with it?

Carlin Lutzer (31:29):

Absolutely. Well, you're a great example of someone that's pushed through the life after hockey and a good example to many kids as to what can transpire after you're done hockey. And yeah, even your career of 546 games, 115 goals, 136 assist, total 251 points, that's awesome. And yeah, obviously guys like me wish that I could have had that a part of my portfolio, but I don't. But it's just so great to visit with you today and hear your passion for the sport, passion for business, passion. It even comes across how much you enjoy being able to support your employees that work for you. And that just says a lot about you, Mason, and really appreciate your time today.

Mason Raymond (32:29):

Well, thank you very much. It's a pleasure to come on here and reflect back on my career. And I always joke, I took knowledge, I took everything I possibly could. It was a career. I took money and now it's nice to try to kick that back to whether it's a younger generation or what it is and empower different businesses and stuff. So thanks for having me. I sure appreciate it.

Carlin Lutzer (32:47):

Yeah, absolutely. Last question. Have you ever come to watch an Okeetok's Dogs game?

Mason Raymond (32:53):

I haven't. That's the baseball team.

Carlin Lutzer (32:56):

Yes.

Mason Raymond (32:56):

Yes. I've been to the Oak Oaks Dogs. We did that as a team builder, as a matter of fact, with one of my son's teams. So I learned quickly and then thankfully it wasn't my vehicle, but don't park close to behind the home plate there because those foul balls were heading long ways back. So that was a blast. Again, what a growing town. It's pretty cool. It's actually similar to Cochran. Cochran, as I grew up was a small town and as a business owner here, it's boys that sure grown and so is Okatok.

Carlin Lutzer (33:22):

Yeah, absolutely. No, that's awesome. No, it's something that we're certainly proud of to have that in our backyard, the Okotoks dogs. And yeah, it's such a great experience, right? Something that worked in the small town and no doubt there's certain things that work for you as well, being in a small town and being able to rub shoulders with people. And I don't know, Cochran does certainly have a great feel to it and just the proximity to the mountains and closeness to Calgary. It's a great little, well, not so little sitting down.

Mason Raymond (33:54):

It's not so little anymore. Sure growing. But again, as business owner, I love that side of it, so it's pretty cool.

Carlin Lutzer (33:58):

That's awesome. Mason, I appreciate you. Thank you for your time.

Mason Raymond (34:02):

Thanks so much.

Carlin Lutzer (34:13):

That was Mason Raymond. And what stood out to me most wasn't just the NHL career, the Olympic jersey or the year spent playing at the highest level in the world. It was the consistency of the message, control what you can control, your work ethic, your attitude, and how you respond when things don't go your way. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a coach, a parent, or a young athlete who could benefit from hearing it. And if you haven't already, make sure you subscribe to the Okotoks podcast so you don't miss the future conversations like this. Thanks for listening. I'm Carlin Lutzer, and I'll catch you on the next episode.

Announcer (34:54):

That's a wrap on this episode of the Okotoks Podcast. Thanks for tuning in and thank you to our sponsor, Carlin Lutza Real Estate.