BY SCOTT
HADDOW
Mark Seidel isn't afraid of doing hard work to realize his
dreams.
This steadfast dedication to the sport he loves has opened up a
major door in his career.
The hockey scout has been slowly but surely climbing up the
ranks of the OHL management circles over the last few years,
fighting hard to realize his goals in the sport.
Seidel's dream is to one day run an OHL franchise as a
general manager.
He took a huge step toward that dream recently by landing
the assistant GM job with the Erie Otters.
Seidel has been given a three year deal. The announcement
was made official earlier this week.
"It's a tremendous opportunity for me because I get to learn
from one of the best minds in Major Junior hockey, Sherry
Bassin, who is a Memorial Cup winner," said Seidel.
"Bassin has told me he will only be the GM for one or two
years at most...and then take over the program. I am really
excited about it. There's room to grow and there's a great
young team here already. We will try to win the Memorial Cup."
Seidel was able to plant the seeds for the job by being a
regular on TSN's Off the Record talk show. Bassin was also
frequent guest on the show. They built their relationship on
the set.
"That's where it all started...We were both on the show
quite a bit and were able to form a strong relationship."
Seidel has come a long way since his days with the NOJHL Espanola Screaming Eagles, where he was director of hockey operations in the late 90s, followed by a stint as the GM of the NOJHL Sudbury Northern Wolves from 2002 to 2004. Seidel has been the head scout for Owen Sound and the chief scout of International Scouting Services (ISS) for the last few years as well.
"It's another step up and a big one. My goal is to become a GM
at this level. This contract will allow me to do this.
"Bassin has been around for a long time and has been at the
NHL level as well. If you're going to learn from someone, why
not from the best right?"
Seidel has mixed feels about leaving Owen Sound, a team he
has helped build into one of the most competitive clubs in the
league.
"I am proud of the work we've done there," said the new
assistant GM. "They gave me my first chance in this league and
I will remember that, but this is all part of growing and
expanding in the executive side of the game."
Seidel is bringing much enthusiasm and love of the game to
Erie.
"I can evaluate players, both through trades and the draft,"
said Seidel. "I got to this spot by out working every other
guy, and that's not going to change. I also bring good
management experience."
Bassin, the Otters GM and managing partner, is ecstatic to
land the services of a man who loves junior hockey.
"I've always respected his work ethic, knowledge and
desire," said Bassin. "He's an overachiever. He made a
significant sacrifice to follow his dream. Mark will fill in
any gaps we have to prepare this team to win. He knows what it
takes and is prepared to make the commitment. Good people
deserve good opportunities."
Seidel remembers his roots and the tough haul to get to this
point.
"It's been a phenomenal ride. It's been five years since I
was running the struggling Espanola team. Now, here I am at the
OHL level just one more step away from my true goal (GM)."
The new job will not uproot Seidel's family life. He will
still be living in Greater Sudbury and will also have a
residence in Toronto. Seidel will spend 10 nights a month in
Erie and be on the road another 15 days a month. He will be
home with his family about five nights per month.
Seidel will maximize his precious time with his family while
here.
"It's the price I pay," said Seidel. "My family has been great since day one and they understand. Without their support, none of this would be possible. It will be tough.
"My wife said nothing is really going to change because I am
usually on the road that much anyways. They've sacrificed a lot
and are really good about it."
Seidel gets to put his stamp on the Otters' franchise
immediately as he conducted the team's Import Draft business.
"It's great to put my mark on the team right away."
Seidel will stay with ISS as chief scout.
