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A few years ago Mark Seidel left a high-paying job as a recreation director and entered into the realm of hockey.

Seidel's goal was to become a general manager of an OHL franchise. In less than five years, Seidel has moved quickly up the ranks in the hockey world, making a name for himself as a scout and earning his title as one of the busiest men in the hockey world.

Seidel is the Chief Scout for International Scouting Services, a worldwide scouting agency, dedicated to finding and reporting on every available hockey prospect. Seidel is also a scout for the Owen Sound Attack.

Seidel has committed countless hours to hone his craft and develop a stable foundation of contacts. Recently, the scout was close to his dream as he and former Sudbury Wolves' GM and coach Todd Lalonde were finalists for the head coaching and GM, and head scouting jobs in Windsor.

Seidel, who finally has some time off from hockey, took a few moments to discuss his long season, where he went and what he saw with Northern Life sports reporter Scott Hunter Haddow.

Just how busy were you during the 2004-05 season?

I bought a new car in November 2004, and at the end of the hockey season I had put 41,000 kilometres on it. All together, with my car I had before November, I travelled about 55,000 kilometres. I basically went all over North America seeing hockey prospects.

What was the highlight for you and why?

The CHL Prospects Game was a definite highlight for me, and a lot of other scouts. It was a great event. Just about every top prospect was there playing. It's a great opportunity to gage the top junior players from Canada and catch up with what they have been doing.

Fifty-five thousand kilometres is a lot of travelling. Where do you find the motivation to do it?

It's my passion. I believe I was born to do this. It's something I am going to do and be successful at it. There are worst things to be doing than spending your time in hockey rinks. I have developed a keen ability to evaluate prospects and I have risen up the ranks through hard work.

What truly makes it all worthwhile?

Just knowing I am a lot closer to my goal. Being a finalist for the Windsor job proves it. I started this five years ago, and to be a finalist for an OHL job is unheard of. Everyday I am working towards my goal because I am a goal-oriented guy. Hopefully, I will get there sooner than later.

How critical is scouting to a hockey team's success, say in the OHL?

It's the absolute lifeblood of a team. Look at successful franchises and why they continue to be successful - it's because they consistently bring in quality players. It's the most overlooked aspect in hockey in the OHL. I use London as the prime example. Their draft from the 1985-born players won them the Memorial Cup. They had 13 picks play in the OHL. Not all in London because they used some picks to acquire other players such as Rob Schremp. If a team has a successful draft, it can ultimately turn the team around. Ottawa has the best scouting staff in the OHL and it shows because they have been consistently successful year after year. Teams that invest wisely in player development and evaluations really turn out to be the best.

Knowing your reports, potentially, affect a player's career, does it cause you any unrest at times?

It does weigh on my mind. One time, I was critical of a goalie. I wrote an unfavourable report on him because I thought he was overrated. There were times after that I would wonder what happened to him and what he was doing. Sometimes I wonder if I affected a kid's life, but all you can do is your best. I evaluate the kids as true as i can and hopefully I am right more than I am wrong.

What's next for you?

I am going to keep plugging away. The game isn't just for winter anymore. It's a 12-month business.