NHL Wraparound Podcast
Breadth and depth.
Contemporary and historical.
Straight-forward and experienced.
The NHL Wraparound podcast features Neil Smith, President-General Manager of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers and longtime ESPN/NHL veteran Vic Morren sharing no-nonsense opinions on news and issues around the National Hockey League.
Bringing decades of experience from their respective fields, Smith and Morren create a unique partnership that examines the NHL from multiple perspectives. Additionally, as hockey historians, the pair can delve into any topic in today’s game and enlighten the audience with connections to events from previous years. To truly appreciate where hockey stands today, one needs to understand its past.
With 2024 marking the 30th anniversary of the Rangers last championship season, a special five-part series is planned to commemorate that magical run. Expect fascinating behind-the-scenes stories and special guests with particular focus on the GM who pushed all of his chips into the middle of the table amidst the most pressurized environments – and came out on top.
Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned fan, each episode of NHL Wraparound will leave you entertained and informed.
Bio’s
Neil S. Smith, highly regarded NHL executive, served as the President and General Manager of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers. During his eleven years with the team, they achieved significant success, including three division titles, two Presidents’ Trophies, one Eastern Conference Championship, and a historic Stanley Cup victory—the franchise’s first in 54 years.
Known for his expertise in professional sports franchise economics, Smith played a pivotal role in management decisions under four different Rangers owners.. His tenure saw iconic trades and acquisitions, including Hall of Famers Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky, as well as successful drafts and free-agent signings.
Starting as a pro scout, Smith's career highlights include the impactful 1989 draft for the Detroit Red Wings and bold trades that shaped NHL history. He briefly served as GM for the New York Islanders in 2006, later working as a consultant for the Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.
A Toronto native, Smith's hockey journey began in junior leagues before a distinguished college career at Western Michigan University. He has received numerous awards and distinctions, including induction into the University's Sports Hall of Fame in 1991.
Vic Morren: Born in New York City close to the Old Madison Square Garden, Vic Morren has had hockey in his blood his entire life as a fan, player and television production manager.
A graduate of William Paterson University, Morren skated for three seasons with the Pioneers hockey club and became the first statistical analyst to apply his craft to telecasts working New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils games from 1984-87. He co-authored two NHL-based statistics books within that span before moving to ESPN in 1987 and working the final season of the original deal the network had with the NHL.
After departing in 1990, Morren worked as a studio producer for SportsChannel America’s NHL coverage and the 1992 Barcelona Olympics before returning to ESPN that fall where he worked all 12 seasons on the second ESPN/NHL deal and the first season of the most recent contract in 2021-22. Morren has also earned a Sports Emmy for his work on Sunday Night Football coverage in 2003.
His relationship with Neil Smith dates back 33 years through their mutual friendship with the late ESPN/ABC commentator John Saunders. Morren looks forward to NHL Wraparound and collaborating with Smith with the goal to provide an experience of contemporary viewpoints, historical spin and an overall enriching podcast experience.
- Update frequency
- every day
- Average duration
- 36 minutes
- Episodes
- 259
- Years Active
- 2024 - 2025
EP 23 Trading Places with Mike Santos
Special guest Mike Santos from Team 33 offers insights into the challenges of free agency and the importance of preparing for the draft and free agent negotiations. They provide in-depth analysis of …
Human Side of the Story- Ep 22 Paul Maurice
In this episode of the Human Side of the Story, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren discuss the impressive coaching career of Paul Maurice, who recently led the Florida Panthers to win the Stanley Cup af…
EP 22 Playoff Run with Craig MacTavish
Special guest Craig MacTavish is back to join hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren to discuss the Florida Panthers' victory in the 2024 Stanley Cup, highlighting the decisive Game 7th against the Edmonton…
Human Side of the Story- Ep 21 Jim Montgomery
On the Human Side of the Story with hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren they discuss the importance of leadership and team bonding in the NHL, featuring insights from Boston Bruins head coach, Jim Montgo…
EP 21 Stanley Cup update with Jim Montgomery
Neil Smith and Vic Morren discuss the upcoming Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers. They are joined by special guest Jim Montgomery, head coach of th…
Special Series Ep 5 Reflection
Neil Smith and Vic Morren present the fifth and final episode of the '1990 Forever' series, commemorating the 1994 New York Rangers' Stanley Cup victory, along with special guest Barry Meisel.
Featuri…
Special Series Ep 4 This One Will Last a Lifetime with Mark Messier, Brian Leetch & Adam Graves
Adam Graves, Brian Leetch, and Mark Messier join Hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren, commemorating the 30th anniversary of the New York Rangers' 1994 Stanley Cup Championship. The conversation covers ke…
Human Side of the Story- Ep 20
The Human Side of the story discusses the leadership qualities of Stanley Cup captains Connor McDavid and Aleksander Barkov, the impact of injuries on players like Jacob Trouba and Adam Fox, and the …
Special Series Ep 3 A Series for the Ages with Mike Richter & Stephane Matteau
Episode 3 in the NY Rangers 30th Anniversary Special series . We hear insights from goaltender Mike Richter and left wing Stéphane Matteau, join hosts Neil and Vic to analyze the 1994 Eastern Confere…
EPISODE 20: Stanley Cup Preview with Eddie Olczyk | Panthers vs. Oilers, Coaching Matchups & Superstitions
In this Stanley Cup Final preview edition of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren are joined by Eddie Olczyk, Stanley Cup champion and NHL on TNT analyst, to break down the highly anticipa…
SPECIAL SERIES: EPISODE 2 – Quick Path to the Eastern Final with Steve Larmer & Kevin Lowe | 1994 Rangers, Playoff Depth & Cup Culture
In Episode 2 of the NHL Wraparound Special Series, Neil Smith, President and GM of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers, and veteran broadcaster Vic Morren welcome two essential members of …
HUMAN SIDE OF THE STORY – EPISODE 19: Rick Bowness | A Lifetime in Hockey, 1987 Memories & Legacy Reflections
In this Human Side of the Story segment from NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren reflect on the extraordinary career of Rick Bowness, a respected NHL coach and former player whose influen…
SPECIAL SERIES: EPISODE 1 – The Road Begins with Glenn Healy & John Davidson | Behind the 1994 Rangers’ Cup Run
In this premiere episode of the NHL Wraparound special series, hosts Neil Smith—President and GM of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers—and veteran broadcaster Vic Morren are joined by two…
EPISODE 19: Playoff “Bowness” Edition with Rick Bowness | Coaching Legacy, Culture Shift & the Evolution of Hockey
In Episode 19 of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren are joined by Rick Bowness, one of the NHL’s most respected coaches, who recently stepped away from the bench after a legendary career…
ONE TIMERS: Canucks’ Tough Lessons and Overcoming Playoff Adversities | Injuries, Execution & the Mental Edge
In this One Timers segment from NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren break down the Vancouver Canucks’ playoff journey, reflecting on what went right—and what went wrong—as the team pushed…
EPISODE 18: Conference Finals Preview with Eddie Olczyk | Rangers vs. Panthers, Stars vs. Oilers & A Story of Resilience
In this NHL Wraparound Special Edition, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren are joined by Eddie Olczyk, NHL on TNT analyst and Stanley Cup champion, for a high-level breakdown of the 2024 NHL Conference …
SPECIAL EDITION: Reliving the Cup on Broad Street – 50 Years Later | Bernie Parent, Jay Snider & the Legacy of the Flyers’ First Championship
In this powerful NHL Wraparound special edition, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Philadelphia Flyers’ first Stanley Cup victory in 1974. This unforgettable con…
EPISODE 17: Unbiased – A Discussion with Former NHL Referee Dave Jackson | Officiating Reform, Rule Controversies & Fan Emotions
In Episode 17 of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren welcome Dave Jackson, longtime NHL referee and current ESPN Rules Analyst, for an honest, in-depth conversation about the complexities…
EPISODE 16: Bucci Strikes Again! Round Two Playoff Preview with John Buccigross | Matchups, Goalie Battles & A Tribute to Barry Melrose
In this special playoff edition of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren welcome back John Buccigross—longtime ESPN studio host and play-by-play voice—for a comprehensive Round Two Stanley …
EPISODE 15: Second in Command — A Discussion with NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly | Relocation, Video Review, and the Future of the League
In Episode 15 of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren are joined by Bill Daly, Deputy Commissioner of the National Hockey League, for a deep dive into the league’s direction and pressing i…