he final episode of our 1994 Rangers series celebrates three decades of memories and impact. Hear from team members like John Davidson calling it "a roadmap for life," Glenn Healy on family sacrifice for getting a last name on the Cup, and Steve Larmer on incredible teammates. Barry Meisel shares his Daily News coverage balancing fan and reporter, while fans reveal how the championship changed their lives - from holding up 1-year-olds to fighting cancer to selling season tickets. This is how 1994 became forever, touching...
he final episode of our 1994 Rangers series celebrates three decades of memories and impact. Hear from team members like John Davidson calling it "a roadmap for life," Glenn Healy on family sacrifice for getting a last name on the Cup, and Steve Larmer on incredible teammates. Barry Meisel shares his Daily News coverage balancing fan and reporter, while fans reveal how the championship changed their lives - from holding up 1-year-olds to fighting cancer to selling season tickets. This is how 1994 became forever, touching everyone from MSG employees to dentists to fans who waited 54 years. Neil Smith reflects on the greatest gift: bringing joy to millions of New Yorkers.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:00] - Welcome to Episode 5: Reflection - how 1994 impacted lives 30 years later
[01:00] - Once Rangers get in DNA, becomes lifestyle and emotional part of being
[02:00] - Neil Smith and Barry Meisel join Vic for final episode
[03:00] - Neil growing up 1960s Toronto: could never have imagined being part of this
[04:00] - Barry's first memories: blue seats, crying after '72 and '74 Finals
[05:00] - Vic walking out seeing Oakland Seals 1968: hooked immediately
[06:00] - John Davidson: bigger than just hockey, loyalty of generation after generation
[07:00] - JD's family: daughters hugging Cup, scrapbook photos, roadmap for life
[08:00] - Barbara Danfarcey: executive assistant to Neil, front row seat to roller coaster
[09:00] - Lynn Markey: MSG employee, what it did for fans who stuck through frustration
[10:00] - Don Solomon: team dentist 39 years, cohesiveness and inclusivity making everyone feel one unit
[11:00] - Matt Lare: director of team operations, 30 years blink of eye, memories last forever
[12:00] - Mike Hartman: Neil taking time when he was 15, winning Cup with idol Mark Messier
[13:00] - Amy Kay: VP Human Resources, one of few women executives treated like counterparts
[14:00] - Neil on all-inclusive culture: motivating everyone at MSG to be part of wins and losses
[15:00] - Every single person important: without Mike Hartman might not have won Cup
[17:00] - Barry Meisel: Daily News writer, kid wanting Rangers to win vs reporter staying objective
[18:00] - Dad in sixties never seeing Cup, 18 million New Yorkers feeling same intensity
[19:00] - Biggest challenge: getting story right, objectivity from training not from heart
[20:00] - Neil respecting media doing their job: as long as story correct, had to be told
[21:00] - Don't lie philosophy: credibility more important than bad story or opinion
[22:00] - Embracing New York City chaos: honking horns, running between cars, Post's flamboyance
[23:00] - Best of times standing in hallway talking to writers: really loved it
[24:00] - Frank Brown: 71 years old, only Cup in lifetime, Gary Bettman presenting at 72
[25:00] - Joe Whelan: MSG producer, best team ever covered, Cable Ace award
[26:00] - Kenny Albert: first Stanley Cup Final call, met wife Barbara after Game 5
[27:00] - Steve Levy: ESPN rights holder, in dressing room missing ice celebration
[28:00] - Adam Graves: "I realize how important this win was for you" - greatest moment thinking of reporter
[29:00] - Levy drinking from Cup 2 AM, unprofessional but worth it
[30:00] - Howie Rose: fell in love 1966, practicing play-by-play with tape recorder
[31:00] - Dentist drilling: closes eyes thinking final seconds Game 7, drinking from Cup
[32:00] - Mark Halbert: WFAN broadcaster, going between NBA Finals and Rangers
[33:00] - 54 years thinking most people wouldn't see during lifetime, extraordinary
[34:00] - Neil on relationships: best friends when arguing over who pays for pizza
[35:00] - Barry on balancing pressure/excitement/nervousness: New York all in it together
[36:00] - Vic keeping dad from Game 7: three losses together, couldn't live with fourth
[37:00] - Getting dad press pass Game 4 Vancouver through Neil and John Saunders
[38:00] - Barry's unique stories: 13 people with 8 tickets, not revealing sources
[39:00] - Offered $5,000 per ticket, wouldn't sell - thought it would be jinx
[40:00] - Barry's pregame story: Keenan's dalliances with Red Wings on Game 7 night
[41:00] - Favorite sentence: "New York Islanders have not won Stanley Cup since 1983"
[42:00] - Neil in fog of worry and hopefulness: Al Young getting him with 5 minutes left
[43:00] - Bure stopping skating on icing: Leetch stick in air before whistle
[44:00] - Neil calming everyone: "1.3 seconds, they never score" - saying to himself
[45:00] - Remembering those who've passed: Benny Patrisse, Mike Volga, Joe Murphy, Alexander Karpovtsev
[46:00] - Ceil Selsam: fan club member lost during Capitals series, Officer Steven McDonald
[47:00] - Neil's mom: got him into hockey, great love passed from her dad
[48:00] - Vic's dad: first game 1968, wonderful career covering NHL for ESPN
[49:00] - Sal Gallo: fan since 1964, Islander smugness cut down, 1940 chants went away
[50:00] - Mark Schumann: 20 years old, didn't understand 54 years then, certainly does now
[51:00] - Driving Manhattan 1-2 AM, everyone on streets honking horns
[52:00] - Bobby Nickle: older brother introduced 1968, beat Chicago 4-0, 26 years heartbreak
[53:00] - Paul Sveinson: Long Island Islander torment, bringing sons to games, pictures on Jumbotron
[54:00] - Dan Hoo: jersey for bar exam and CPA exam, good luck charm
[55:00] - Messier leadership lessons off ice, looking back brings tears
[56:00] - James Beal: 17 graduating high school, energy of MSG amazing
[57:00] - Woody Flowers: 82 years old, grandfather sharing radio broadcasts, framed NYT article on desk
[58:00] - Ron Franzia: thyroid cancer during playoffs, hoping don't need cancer for another Cup
[59:00] - Paul McDonald: 76, first game 1957, Mark Messier jumping like kid
[01:00:00] - Bill Carroll: 1-year-old son, "this might be only one, take it in"
[01:01:00] - Arthur Zel: season ticket holder 50+ years, woman's "Now I Can Die in Peace" sign
[01:02:00] - Glenn Healy: erased three generations of misery, last name on Cup forever
[01:03:00] - Family sacrifice for last name on Cup: dad, granddad, brother
[01:04:00] - Bruce Lai: masseuse didn't follow hockey, walking Cup down Main Street traffic stopping
[01:05:00] - John Raco: "one brief shining moment, there was Camelot" - captured what team meant
[01:06:00] - Steve Larmer: privilege playing with Lowe, Messier, Leetch, incredible teammates
[01:07:00] - Ticker tape parade through Canyon of Champions, stories get better every time
[01:08:00] - Eddie Olczyk: lived and loved together, any time see Ranger sweater fans say "thanks for 1994"
[01:09:00] - Small part feeling special, greatest accomplishment making people happy
[01:10:00] - Nick Kypreos: didn't play big role but felt part of something special
[01:11:00] - Check ego at door, whatever it takes to help team win
[01:12:00] - Being Stanley Cup champion opens doors: people want to be around winners
[01:13:00] - Kevin Lowe: first cup always stands out like having children
[01:14:00] - Rangers 54 years, original six, doing it with roommate Mark Messier
[01:15:00] - Neil as architect: blessed with getting job 1989, lot of blessings along way
[01:16:00] - Blessed to be in position at right time making right moves
[01:17:00] - Support above, terrific fan base, acquiring Mark Messier major piece
[01:18:00] - Kid from 1960s street hockey, mother pushing along after father died young
[01:19:00] - Looking in mirror: was that really me? Bringing joy to New Yorkers
[01:20:00] - Greatest gift: making others happy, what better thing can happen in life
[01:21:00] - Vic on behalf of everybody: thank you Neil for making us happy
[01:22:00] - Series serves as go-to for years to come, 1994 is forever
X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound
Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil
Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/
NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/
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