No nonsense. just hockey.
Neil Smith and Vic Morren provide weekly news and views on the teams and players in the National Hockey League. Hear from weekly guests providing unique insight from within the hockey world.
NY Rangers 30th Anniversary 1994 Stanley cup championship Series
LIVE– The Road Begins with Glenn Healy & John Davidson
LIVE– Quick Path to the Eastern Final with Steve Larmer & Kevin Lowe
LIVE – A Series for the Ages with Mike Richter & Stephane Matteau
LIVE– This One Will Last a Lifetime with Mark Messier, Brian Leetch & Adam Graves
LIVE – Reflection
Neil Smith
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.
Featured Guests
Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky is a Canadian ice hockey player who was considered by many to be the greatest player in the history of the National Hockey League (NHL).
Kevin Cheveldayoff
Kevin A. Cheveldayoff, nicknamed “Chevy”, is a Canadian ice hockey executive and former player who is currently the executive vice president and general manager of the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League.
Craig Laughlin
Craig Alan Laughlin is a Canadian former professional ice hockey right wing, who is the color analyst for the Washington Capitals on Monumental Sports Network. He played in the National Hockey League with the Montreal Canadiens, Washington Capitals, Los Angeles Kings, and Toronto Maple Leafs between 1981 and 1989.
Brian Engblom
Brian Paul Engblom is a Canadian ice hockey broadcaster for the Tampa Bay Lightning, and a former professional hockey defenseman. He was a three-time Stanley Cup winner with the Montreal Canadiens.
Mike Santos
Michael Santos is a Hockey Executive and Sports Attorney possessing a broad and practical knowledge of the law combined with excellent business acumen. Experience managing complex amateur and professional sports organizations including athletes, events, facilities, governance, operations, dispute resolution, litigation, mergers, acquisitions and real estate transactions. Excels at drafting, enforcing, negotiating and reviewing contracts, legal documents, rules and regulations.
Craig MacTavish
Craig MacTavish is a Canadian professional ice hockey executive and former player, formerly an assistant coaching position with the St. Louis Blues. He played centre for 17 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers and St. Louis Blues, winning the Stanley Cup four times (1987, 1988, 1990, 1994). He was the last NHL player not to wear a helmet during games. MacTavish later coached the Oilers from 2000 to 2009 and also served as assistant coach with the Rangers and Oilers.
John Buccigross
John Buccigross is part of ESPN’s NHL team as a play-by-play commentator for select NHL games. He also hosts The Point, a weekly hockey-focused studio show on ESPN2. In addition, Buccigross is an occasional host of SportsCenter, a program he anchored on a regular basis prior to ESPN’s re-acquiring of NHL rights.
Bill Daly
Bill Daly is an American attorney and the current deputy commissioner and chief legal officer of the National Hockey League (NHL) under Commissioner Gary Bettman. He is also a Hockey Hall of Fame board member and former NHL vice president and chief legal officer. Before joining the NHL front office he worked for the New York law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP. He received his bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College and his J.D. degree from New York University School of Law.
Brian Burke
Brian P. Burke is an American-Canadian ice hockey executive, currently the Executive Director of the Professional Women’s Hockey League Players Association (PWHLPA). He previously worked in the NHL league office, including as the director of hockey operations, and worked as general manager of the Hartford Whalers, Vancouver Canucks, Anaheim Ducks—with whom he won the Stanley Cup in 2007—and Toronto Maple Leafs, as well as president of hockey operations for the Leafs, Calgary Flames, and Pittsburgh Penguins.
Keith Tkachuk
Keith Tkachuk, a left winger, grew up in Malden, Massachusetts, playing in high school for Malden Catholic, before playing one year of college hockey at Boston University. Tkachuk played for the US at the World Junior Championships in 1991, his first of many international appearances for the US, including the 1992 World Juniors, the 1997 and 2005 World Cups, and four Winter Olympics – 1992, 1998, 2002, and 2006. Tkachuk was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in the first round of the 1990 NHL draft, and has played in the NHL since 1990. He started out with the Jets, and also played for several years with the St. Louis Blues, and Phoenix Coyotes, with one brief stint with the Atlanta Thrashers.
Brian Boucher
Brian Boucher is an American former professional ice hockey goaltender who is a game analyst on national TNT games and also Philadelphia Flyers games on NBC Sports Philadelphia. He played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Philadelphia Flyers, Phoenix Coyotes, Calgary Flames, Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, San Jose Sharks, and Carolina Hurricanes.
Nick Kypreos
Nikos “Nick” Kypreos is a Canadian former professional ice hockey left winger who played eight seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Hartford Whalers, Washington Capitals, New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs. He is currently the co-host for the Real Kyper and Bourne Podcast.
Ken Holland
Ken Holland was named President of Hockey Operations and General Manager of the Oilers on May 7, 2019. Holland joined the Oilers after serving as General Manager of the Detroit Red Wings for 22 seasons, capturing four Presidents Trophies (2002, 2004, 2006, 2008), 10 division championships (1991, 2001-2004, 2006-2009, 2011), five regular season conference titles (2002, 2004, 2006-08) and reaching 100 regular season points in 13 of his last 18 seasons.
George McPhee
George McPhee currently serving as the president of hockey operations for the Vegas Golden Knights. McPhee served as the general manager of the Washington Capitals and has also served as alternate governor, vice president and special assistant to the general manager of the New York Islanders. As a player, McPhee won the Hobey Baker Award in 1982 as the best NCAA men’s ice hockey player, later playing for the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils.
What people are saying
Doug J.
“I am not a huge hockey fan but these guys get my interests up for the game. Good stuff!”
SilCip66
“Finally one of the best PODCASTS ever for NHL fans. Well done!!!”
Brett Fleming
“The back stories and highly regarded hockey greats visiting the show take the commentary to a whole new level. Beauty!!”
Blubb033
I enjoy the structure of each telecast and the insights of Neil and Vic! They have great chemistry together, which comes out in the show. They focus on important events going on today, and also discuss on many things in a historical context. Their guests are also outstanding and most seem happy to share both poignant and humorous stories of NHL life.
Contact us
nhlwraparound@gmail.com
tammie@produceyourpodcast.com