Today we’d like to introduce you to Cort Bulloch
Hi Cort, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story is deeply rooted in hockey—it’s taken me everywhere in life. After playing junior hockey in Saskatchewan, I played college hockey at Iowa State. Through my hockey connections, I landed a job in medical device sales in Des Moines, IA, where I spent nine years working in orthopedics and robotic surgery. But no matter where life took me, hockey never left.
In 2014, I started Sauce Toss as a passion project, with the help of my parents and their company at the time, PoweringAthletics, as well as my college teammate Brad Krueger. I wanted to bring hockey into tailgating culture—specifically at my alma mater, Iowa State. With all the bean bag toss and other classic tailgate games, I thought, why not put a hockey stick in your hand? What started as a fun idea quickly grew into something bigger.
Fast forward to 2019, I was talking with my friend John Vadnais—a serial entrepreneur, recent Shark Tank alum, and someone who shares my passion for innovation. We decided to take Sauce Toss full-time, move it to White Bear Lake, and expand into something even more meaningful to me: PowerSkater.
PowerSkater is a product I grew up with—one my dad actually invented out of necessity. I was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, but grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana. At the time, Fort Wayne only had one sheet of ice for youth hockey, and I struggled as a skater. My dad, Ron Bulloch, originally from Southwestern Manitoba, saw my frustration and decided to create a machine that would strengthen the exact muscles needed for skating biomechanics. He has an incredible engineering mind and built what started as a makeshift invention—using wood, my mom’s aerobic bands, my sister’s hair ties, and Rollerblade wheels—but it worked. I trained on it all summer and achieved my goal of making the Squirt travel team.
Since then, PowerSkater has helped countless athletes, including Brent Burns. His dad bought one for him in 2003, and to this day, he still trains on it. Now, he’s not just an elite NHL player but also a spokesperson and another true PowerSkater success story. There are so many stories like his.
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When John and I took over the business, our goal was to modernize PowerSkater—make it sleeker, easier to assemble, and scalable. The product had always spread through word of mouth, but we knew it was time to bring it to the forefront. Hockey parents tend to keep training secrets to themselves, but we wanted to shout this one from the rooftops. Seeing PowerSkater help so many athletes unlock their full stride potential has been incredibly rewarding.
Looking back, almost every major opportunity in my life has come from hockey. Even my partnership with John traces back to the rink—I met him through Brad Krueger, who I played with at Iowa State. John and I hit it off immediately. With my dad being an inventor, I was always drawn to John’s entrepreneurial mindset and ability to bring ideas to life. That inspiration helped me start Sauce Toss, and now, as co-owners, John and I are marching forward together, bringing innovation to the hockey world.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Scaling a business is never easy, and PowerSkater has been no exception. Every step—manufacturing, expanding into Canada, and refining our sales process—has come with its own set of challenges. But that’s part of the journey, and we’ve always embraced the grind.
A huge turning point for us was bringing on our COO, Trevor Lambert. Trevor owns an industrial design firm, Enhance Innovations, based in Champlin, MN, and has even been on Shark Tank alongside John. His ability to solve problems and drive innovation has been a rock for our team. Whether it’s navigating manufacturing hurdles or streamlining operations, Trevor has played a massive role in keeping PowerSkater on track and pushing forward.
The reality is, entrepreneurship is about persistence. There are going to be setbacks, but those moments are what define you. For us, every challenge has been an opportunity to learn, adapt, and get stronger. We’re just getting started, and we couldn’t be more excited for what’s ahead.
We’ve been impressed with STRYDE Hockey, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
PowerSkater is led by our CEO, John Vadnais, who’s based out of White Bear Lake, MN. John is a serial entrepreneur and inventor with incredible business acumen. He was recently featured on Shark Tank and has a long track record of bringing innovative products to market. His leadership has been instrumental in growing PowerSkater. Beyond business, John has deep hockey roots—he played competitively for the U.S. National Development Team and continued his career at Bemidji State. His experience in the game gives him a unique perspective on how to develop products that truly benefit athletes.
As for me, I serve as the VP of Sales, handling the day-to-day sales operations. A big part of my role is working directly with customers—whether it’s walking them through demos, training sessions, or simply making sure they’re getting the most out of their PowerSkater. Something I think really sets us apart is the customer service we provide after the sale. It’s not just about selling a product—it’s about building relationships and seeing firsthand the impact PowerSkater is making on these athletes’ lives. Hearing their success stories and watching their progress has been one of the most rewarding parts of the job.
What also makes PowerSkater special is that it’s proudly made in the United States. In a world where so many training products are mass-produced overseas, we take immense pride in keeping our manufacturing close to home. This allows us to maintain the highest quality standards while supporting local jobs. It also means we can be hands-on in the production process, ensuring every PowerSkater that leaves our facility is built to help athletes reach their full potential.
We believe in the power of hard work, innovation, and never settling for “good enough.” PowerSkater isn’t just another training tool—it’s a game-changer that has helped skaters from youth levels to the pros unlock a stronger, more efficient stride. Seeing this product make a real difference in athletes’ lives is what fuels us every day.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
The hockey training industry is evolving fast, and we see PowerSkater being at the forefront of that shift. Over the next 5–10 years, the biggest trends will revolve around technology-driven training, data analytics, and a more holistic approach to player development. Athletes and coaches are looking for smarter, more efficient ways to improve performance, and off-ice training is becoming just as critical as on-ice time.
One major shift we anticipate is the growing demand for specialized, sport-specific training tools like PowerSkater. Skating is the foundation of hockey, and teams at all levels are realizing that edge work, stride efficiency, and lower-body strength don’t just happen naturally—they need to be developed with intentional, targeted training. We believe resistance-based training will play a much larger role in how athletes build power and endurance.
Another big change we see is the continued globalization of hockey development. More players from non-traditional markets are entering the game, and the need for accessible, high-quality training tools is greater than ever. Expanding into Canada was a huge step for us, and we see even more opportunities internationally.
Beyond just equipment, we’re also focusing on the development of camps and training centers to ensure athletes are maximizing their training potential. This summer, we’re launching two new camps that will be supported by the PowerSkater and led by professional skating coaches. These camps will emphasize stride mechanics, strength development, and on-ice application, bridging the gap between off-ice and on-ice performance. Our goal is to create an environment where athletes can receive elite-level instruction while using the best tools available to enhance their game.
Ultimately, the future of hockey training is all about innovation, and we’re excited to be part of that movement. PowerSkater isn’t just another piece of equipment—it’s a game-changer for how athletes train, and we’re just getting started.
Contact Info:
- Website: powerskater.com | saucetoss.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stryde.hockey/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PowerSkater
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@strydos
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/saucetoss/
