The scout behind Jeff Marek's firing just got fired by his team

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Daniel Lucente
August 28, 2024 (4:00 PM)

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A scout of the OHL's Barrie Colts who was linked to Jeff Marek's firing has just been let go by the team, further adding fuel to the fire.

Mark Seidel, once a well-known figure in Las Vegas, has moved on from the city, but the stir he caused is still very much alive. Seidel, who used to serve as the OHL Barrie Colts' director of scouting and player personnel, has just been fired by the team as he has been connected to the recent departure of longtime Sportsnet broadcaster Jeff Marek, according to The Athletic.

While Seidel didn't dive into the specifics of his interactions with Marek, he did try to highlight his long career in junior hockey and scouting. He's worked for many Ontario Hockey League (OHL) teams, contributed to different media outlets, and even ran his own scouting service, North American Central Scouting. His X account has been a major source for his scouting updates.

However, Seidel's version of events, especially regarding his many job changes and struggles with addiction, has raised some eyebrows. In conversations with BarrieToday, his comments were often vague and sometimes contradicted what others in the hockey world have said. His version of battling OxyContin addiction after knee surgeries seems to have added to the controversy, though he claims to have been clean since 2013 after quitting "cold turkey."

The situation in Las Vegas, where Seidel's social media activity caught the attention of NHL and Nevada gaming authorities, isn't an isolated incident. His past also includes a short time with the Minnesota Wild that ended due to concerns about his performance. Despite the controversies, Seidel insists he's in good standing with the NHL.

The ongoing controversy, particularly regarding his actions in Vegas which led to the firing of Jeff Marek, continues to cast a shadow over Seidel's career, raising questions about his credibility and future in the hockey world. The fact that the Barrie Colts have just let him go is a major dagger to his professional credibility.

Source: BarrieToday
COLUMN: Colts scout linked to Jeff Marek's departure from Sportsnet