NHL Wraparound Podcast

1994 Rangers 30 Years Later: Players, Media & Fans Reflect on Stanley Cup Legacy

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 foreverX: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NYRangers #NewYorkRangers #1994StanleyCup #NeilSmith #Reflection #30YearsLater #MarkMessier #GlennHealy #SteveLarmer #KevinLowe #EddieOlczyk #NickKypreos #JohnDavidson #HowieRose #KennyAlbert #SteveLevy #BarryMeisel #FrankBrown #AdamGraves #BrianLeetch #MikeRichter #54YearCurse #1940 #MadisonSquareGarden #NewYorkDailyNews #RangerFans #StanleyCupLegacy #1994Forever #RangersHistory #ThisOneWillLastALifetime #CanyonOfHeroes #BroadwayBlueshirts #OriginalSix #GenerationsOfFans

Episode 86 - 2026 Team USA Architect with General Manager Bill Guerin - Jan. 9, 2026

Talk about an abundance of riches. One half of your job is running one of the top teams in the NHL while the other half is assembling the best American players in the world for the upcoming Olympics.GM of both the Minnesota Wild and U.S. Men’s team headed to Italy, Bill Guerin joins Neil and Vic to talk about both teams.In Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To, an American Legend reaches a milestone, a future legend puts on a virtuoso performance in Hollywood and what’s more stunning at this point of the season, the Sabres run or the Jets nosedive?We'll have other items of note and pay tribute to "Mr. Goalie," Glenn Hall before celebrating Neil's birthday.IN THIS EPISODE:[02:30] - Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To[13:39] - Team USA/Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin is welcomed to the show pleased about the selection process being done and the success of the Wild in a city once again in going through unrest.[16:03] - Guerin shares it's the people around him that is making it possible for him to take on the leadership role of both teams.[17:30] - Construction of Team USA in relation to playing style needed to succeed.[19:06] - The calls to those who make the team and those who did not...and the second-guessing from media and fans that comes with those decisions.[21:00] - Neil draws off on his own experience sharing with Bill that it was easier to sleep at night knowing decisions being made were in the best interests of the team. Bill adds a point about the importance of how people are treated.[22:37] - As a three-time Olympian, the advice Guerin can share with Team USA about the upcoming experience, something only two of his 25 players have known.[24:52] - Shifting to the Wild: In 2024-25, the team started hot and struggled to make the post-season. This season, a sluggish start followed by a major about-face which actually started prior to the acquisition of Quinn Hughes.[28:35] - More on Hughes, who has not committed to staying with the Wild beyond the end of the season.[30:23] - The NHL-record Kaprizov contract and the reception within the Wild.[32:05] - Even with a large chunk of the schedule remaining, the Wild appear on a collision course with Dallas for the opening round of the post-season. Where is Guerin looking to upgrade?[35:14] - Putting a wrap on the Bill Guerin discussion.[35:59] - A few random items of note.[47:01] - Personnel notes.[48:44] - Tribute to Glenn Hall.[53:15] - Happy Birthday NeilX: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #BillGuerin #MatsZuccarello #PatrickKane #MikeModano #KeithTkachuk #JeremyRoenick #JoeMullen #MikeBossy #MarkMessier #RickTabaracci #MikeGartner #GuyLafleur #MacklinCelebrini #WarrenFoegele #AdrianKempe #WilliamEklund #NathanMacKinnon #ConnorHellebuyck #LindyRuff #PeytonKrebs #MattiasSamuelsson #JonathanQuick #MarkStone #ConnorMcDavid #ChrisKelleher #ChrisDrury #TomFitzgerald #BillZito #StanBowman #JohnVanbiesbrouck #PatKelleher #MikeSullivan #TageThompson #ClaytonKeller #SethJones #QuinnHughes #JakeSanderson #BrockFaber #JohnHynes #KirillKaprizov #MattBoldy #JesperWallstedt #FilipGustavsson #JoelErikssonEk #SteveYzerman #BrendanSHanahan #KenMorrow #JoshManson #GordieHoweHatTrick #TylerKleven #LeeviMerilainen #LinusUllmark #MadsSogaard #JamesReimer #AlexandreTexier #MartinSt.Louis #DougArmstrong #BrandonSaad #ScottLaughton #EastonCowan #JohnTavares #JacobMarkstrom #JakeAllen #SheldonKeefe #HenrikLundqvist #NHLonTNT #PatrickRoy #RonaldCorey #RejeanHoule #PierreLacroix #JakeAllen #JimMontgomery #JordanBinnington #JoelHofer #SidneyCrosby #CarterHart #TravisKonecny #CoreyPerry #AdamHenrique #EvgeniMalkin #SimonNemec #JTMiller #NathanWalker #GlennHall #WayneGretzky #JacquesPlante #ErnieWakely #VicHadfield #TrevorZegras #AdamGraves #StephaneMatteau #BrianLeetch

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Offenses Take off While Ducks Continue to Dive - Jan. 7, 2026

An abbreviated show with Neil traveling so Vic handling the updates and storylines from the past couple of nights as 77 goals were scored Tuesday including a surprising blitz at UBS Arena.Speaking of being blitzed, it's becoming a regular occurence in Anaheim whey are no longer outscoring mistakes.Some key injury news - particularly in New York - is noted as well as penalty shot happenings in three games, two of which were rather unique.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #BillGuerin #AnthonyDuclair #PatrickRoy #JacobMarkstrom #IlyaSorokin #LaneLambert #PhilippGrubauer #BerklyCatton #ConnorMcDavid #NathanMacKinnon #JonCooper #BrandonHagel #NikitaKucherov #MaxCrozier #BrockNelson #ValNichushkin #AustonMatthews #MatsSundin #BradMarchand #MitchMarner #PaulMaurice #SethJones #SethJarvis #MikkoRantanen #LoganStankoven #CutterGauthier #TrevorZegras #BobbyBrink #JansenHarkins #JamieDrysdale #RossJohnston #JustinSordif #TomWilson #RyanLeonard #JacobTrouba #BrandonDuhaime #RyanStrome #TomasHertl #KyleConnor #ReillySmith #HaydnFleury #KeeganKolesar #AdamLowry #IgorShesterkin #JonathanQuick #DylanGarland #AdamFox #AnzeKopitar #JoelArmia #CoreyPerry #HampusLindholm #MarcoSturm #HenriJokiharju #JakeMcCabe #ChrisTanev #BrandonCarlo #KasperiKapanen #TristanJarry #EgorZamula #PhilipTomasino #AlexWennberg #ChistianDvorak $JussoValimaki #BobPulford #SteveLarmer #TonyAmonte #StephaneMatteau #BrianNoonan #WorldJuniorChampionships #GavinMcKenna #MichaelHage

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Amidst Utter Chaos, a Playoff Series is Almost Set? -Jan. 5, 2026

A tick past the midway point of the season and there have been some truly remarkable trends in the NHL in 2025-26.How else to explain, the flip-flop in teams' play from game-to-game, elite teams struggling while former also-rans flex muscle? And then there's the Columbus Blue Jackets, who have gifted late standings points to division and conference rivals at a rate which - if not reversed quickly - will keep them out of the playoffs again.Is it parity or parody? Out of all of this uncertainty, one of the first round playoff series almost appears guaranteed a month out from the Olympic break.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #NHLWinterClassic#MikaZibanejad #SergeiBobrovsky #TylerToffoli #DavidPastrnak #NHLonTNT #DaniilTarasov #NathanMacKinnon #LukeHughes #TaylorHall #JakeAllen #JacobMarkstrom #MatthewSchaefer #AustonMatthews #MatsSundin #JosephWoll #MorganRielly #AdinHill #AlexPietrangelo #BraydenMcNabb #SheaTheodore #JakeOettinger #WyattJohnston #JasonRobertson #GlenGulutzan #TylerBertuzzi #ConnorBedard #FrankNazar #JeffBlashill #DanMuse #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #NikitaKucherov #DarrenRaddysh #DanBoyle #VictorHedman #RyanMcDonagh #ErikCernak #JonCooper #JulienBriseBois #NicolasHague #StevenStamkos #FraserMinton #LoganStanley #BradyTkachuk #NoelAcciari #TommyNovak #RickardRakell #SidneyCrosby #DeanEvason #GaryBettman #NormGreen #MinnesotaNorthStars #MackenzieBlackwood #GabrielLandeskog #JaredBednar #DevonToews #QuebecNordiques #HartfordWhalers #TrentMiner #SethJones #TomWilson #SpencerCarbery #BoHorvat #IlyaSorokin #DavidRittich #JTMiller #WilliamNylander #TageThompson #ClaytonKeller #QuinnHughes #AdamFox #ChrisKreider #BillGuerin #MikeSullivan #PatrickKane #ColeCaufield #AlexDebrincat #AlexTuch #MatthewKnies #LaneHutson #MatthewTkachuk #WorldJuniorChampionships

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Olympic Rosters Getting Plenty of Scrutiny - Jan. 2, 2026

The rosters for the Milano Cortina Olympics have been announced with no shortage of second guessing, particularly in Canada. Vic and Neil start the New Year with the over-hype more than a month out from the games.As the NHL schedule moves towards the mid-point, two hot teams are on very different missions in 2026: the Avalanche in their march towards history and the Sabres who are looking to change theirs.Then there's the flip side where the struggles for the 2025 Presidents' Trophy winners continues.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #BillGuerin #JackHughes #ClaytonKeller #TageThompson #SethJones #AdamFox #MatthewSchaefer #SamBennett #ConnorBedard #MarkScheifele #WyattJohnston #BoHorvat #DougArmstrong #JonCooper #AnthonyCirelli #BrandonHagel #TomWilson #GordieHoweHatTrick #NoahLaba #SamCarrick #BradMarchand #MacklinCelebrini #JordanBinnington #NathanMacKinnon #ValNichushkin #JimMontgomery #WillFerrell #RickTocchet #RyanHuska #DustinWolf #DevinCooley #JonathanToews #PatrickKane #ConnorHellebuyck #GabeVilardi #JoshMorrissey #KyleConnor #Presidents'Trophy #KevinCheveldayoff #ChrisDrury #ConnorMcDavid #VladislavNamestnikov #ColePerfetti #MasonAppleton #NikolajEhlers #StevenStamkos #BraydenMcNabb #JackEichel #MarkStone #MitchMarner #GlenGulutzan #KenHitchcock #LindyRuff #PeterDeBoer #JimNill #ColeCaufield #NickSuzuki #MartinSt.Louis #MikeMatheson #JoshAnderson #JohnnyGaudreau #ZachWerenski #PyotrKochetkov #FrederikAndersen #BrandonBussi #AdinHill #FrankVatrano #AustonMatthews #WilliamNylander #ChrisTanev #BoHorvat #BraydenMcNabb #ConorGarland #MarcoRossi #AlexLyon #Ukka-PekkaLuukkonen #ColtenEllis #MilesWood #OndrejPalat #ConorSheary #AdamFox #IgorShesterkin #ErikCernak #NoahPhilp #DantonHeinen #YegorChinakov #EgorZamula #PhilipTomasino #SidneyCrosby #KyleDubas #ErikKarlsson #WorldJuniorChampionships #WinterClassic #SteveMayer #KylePalmieri