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Published on:

2nd Jan 2026

1994 Rangers Stanley Cup Final: Messier, Leetch & Graves on Ending 54-Year Curse

Mark Messier, Brian Leetch, and Adam Graves join Neil and Vic to relive conquering the curse - the 1994 Stanley Cup Final against the Vancouver Canucks. From the pressure of ending a 54-year drought to Game 7's heart-stopping final minutes, this is the story of how Broadway's finest delivered a gift to millions. Hear Messier explain why going home between Games 6 and 7 was crucial, Leetch describe becoming the first American Conn Smythe winner, Graves reveal what Mark said after his goal, and Neil share his emotional moment in Mayor Giuliani's office. This one truly will last a lifetime.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] - Welcome to Episode 4: This One Will Last a Lifetime, Stanley Cup Final vs Vancouver Canucks

[02:00] - Mark Messier, Brian Leetch, and Adam Graves join Neil to relive conquering the curse

[03:00] - Messier on Devils series: tested in every way, gave confidence Rangers could dig deeper

[04:00] - Learning limits under pressure: most important factor in winning Stanley Cup

[05:00] - Adam on 1990 Edmonton experience: watching Mark in Chicago Game 4, learning toughness

[06:00] - Life's greatest teacher: experience, ebbs and flows, blocking shots and taking hits

[08:00] - Vancouver had heck of a team: Kurt McLean out, already a rivalry from physical regular season

[09:00] - Brian on first Finals: prepared by having Mark for years, wanting to win like Richter and Graves

[10:00] - Watching Mark prepare: "He's gonna have a huge game today" whenever Rangers needed one

[11:00] - Neil's confidence: knew Rangers had better players, couldn't compare to Vancouver's team

[12:00] - Game 1: two-one lead late, third time in eight games giving up goal in last minute

[13:00] - Rangers dominate with 54 shots, 17 in OT, Leetch hits crossbar before Greg Adams wins

[14:00] - Game 2: anxious final 10 seconds, Mike's save, Brian's empty netter

[15:00] - Game 3 turning point: Jay Wells high stick from Pavel Bure, Bure suspended

[16:00] - Adam on Bure's edge: skilled scorer but tough player, major penalty opening opportunity

[17:00] - Five-one Game 3 win with Bure out of equation

[18:00] - Game 4: two-nothing Vancouver first period, Bure penalty shot against Richter

[19:00] - Brian on penalty shot: if Bure makes move, Mike saves it, worried about five-hole speed

[20:00] - Messier: leave goalie alone, epitome of one-on-one battle, Mike's mental strength

[21:00] - Neil on catwalk in old Pacific Coliseum: praying during penalty shot, no control

[22:00] - Vancouver's 10 power plays, Leetch setting up Verville, Larmer-Kovalev goal off Babych

[23:00] - Up three-one, Neil walking off thinking teams down 3-1 rarely come back

[24:00] - Mark on 1987 Philly series: parade route set, more pressure on home team than road team

[25:00] - Game 5 distractions: planning for parade, expectations of ending 54-year drought

[26:00] - Tikkanen offside goal called back in first period - potential game-changer

[27:00] - Adam on family superstitions: members who came for Game 5 wouldn't return for Game 7

[28:00] - Down three-nothing, storming back with three goals, momentum shift

[29:00] - Dave Babych goal 29 seconds after tying it three-three: deflating building

[30:00] - Brian on Babych goal: roof about to come off after Messier's goal, then disbelief

[31:00] - Six-hour flight back to Vancouver, never felt like two goals from Cup in Game 6

[32:00] - Keenan's Lake Placid suggestion: leadership group unanimous - go home

[33:00] - Messier on embracing moment: why do something different, comfortable at home

[34:00] - Don't shy away from energy: kids' schools, local grocers, signs everywhere

[35:00] - Brian on NYC energy: Knicks in NBA Finals simultaneously, watching another team go through it

[36:00] - Adam on home preparation: banged-up team needing facilities, strength from fan base

[37:00] - Neil holding family together: mother biggest hockey fan on earth, confidence in group

[38:00] - Oilers by design not accident: winners available, you gotta get them

[39:00] - Gravy first acquisition, then Messier, Beukeboom, Tikkanen, Lowe, MacTavish, Anderson

[40:00] - Every person important: Mike Hartman to Eddie Olczyk to Mike Richter

[41:00] - Game 7: Mark's two previous Finals Game 7s (1987 Edmonton, both down 3-1)

[42:00] - 1987 Philadelphia: simple mindset - our best is better than their best if we execute

[43:00] - 1994 same scenario: missed playoffs year before, renewed purpose, well-coached hungry opponent

[44:00] - Focus crystal clear: execute like all year, every time needed big game Rangers delivered

[45:00] - Keenan negotiating with Detroit sidebar: million distractions, didn't affect players

[46:00] - Mike's passionate speech: you're best team in hockey, absorb every second

[47:00] - Character and experience overcoming everything: NY market size, 54-year history

[48:00] - Brian's first goal: Mark up wall, Zubov passing instead of shooting, Graves taking out net front

[49:00] - Adam's goal less than four minutes later: Valle to Zubov setup, finally on scoresheet

[50:00] - Mark congratulating Adam: both banged up, wanting to contribute to brothers

[51:00] - Messier power play goal: greatest weapon all year, Hall of Fame defensemen on points

[52:00] - Mark hoping NHL overturns to give Noonan credit: belongs to his family legacy

[53:00] - Richter two-pad stack on Ronning: carrying three-one lead to third period

[54:00] - Tikkanen penalty on Bure, Trevor Linden's second goal: three-two

[55:00] - Intersection of tragedy and jubilation: 54-year curse on the balance

[56:00] - Messier on energy shift: crowd taking breath - "is this happening again after 54 years?"

[57:00] - Brian on one-goal cushion: more comfortable, mistake doesn't cost whole series

[58:00] - Posts: Nathan LaFayette slot shot (MacTavish save), Kevin Lowe nine minutes left

[59:00] - Martin Gelinas wide open net, LaFayette over Richter's glove banking off post

[01:00:00] - Adam: longest two minutes in NHL history, couldn't have happened any other way

[01:01:00] - Final faceoff: MacTavish spinning early, Messier laying wood on Bure, Larmer pinning Brown

[01:02:00] - Buzzer sounds: waiting is over, New York Rangers are Stanley Cup champions

[01:03:00] - Messier on reach transcending hockey: human interest story, daily reminders 30 years later

[01:04:00] - Relationships with fans: approachability, immersion in community elevating experience

[01:05:00] - Brian's Conn Smythe: embarrassing to be singled out, uncomfortable at time

[01:06:00] - Asking Mark on ice: "Can whole team come up?" First American-born winner

[01:07:00] - Graves screaming "1940!" into cameras: never have to hear that year again

[01:08:00] - "Now I Can Die in Peace" sign in stands: what Ranger fans felt

[01:09:00] - Adam on cultural change: Mark teaching team to talk about being Stanley Cup champions

[01:10:00] - Neil making history: only GM to lead Rangers to Cup in 84 years

[01:11:00] - First four Russians on Cup: Zubov, Kovalev, Nemchinov, Karpovtsev

[01:12:00] - Neil on recognizing good deals: Leetch and Richter already there, adding pieces

[01:13:00] - Sather offering Messier: "Of course I'm interested, I'm not an idiot"

[01:14:00] - Signing Graves first: Troy Mallette trade, doing what he could do

[01:15:00] - Islanders foundation: Al Arbour and Bill Torrey teaching culture and expectations

[01:16:00] - Mark changing culture: logo different from him being there

[01:17:00] - Parade: Keenan showing 1986 Mets video in September, now living it

[01:18:00] - Setting expectations early: anything less than Stanley Cup not acceptable

[01:19:00] - Canyon of Heroes: 2 million people, testimony to franchise history

[01:20:00] - Brian on parade: unexplainable, need professional writer to describe how cool it was

[01:21:00] - Families on floats, over in blink of eye, always talk about going around block again

[01:22:00] - Adam on special bond: generations of families on journey with players

[01:23:00] - Celebrated more than other championships: New York Rangers fan connection unique

[01:24:00] - Neil on zero arrests: so much love in air, proud to be New Yorker

[01:25:00] - Crying in Giuliani's office: "I just wanted to make New Yorkers happy"

[01:26:00] - Emotional about delivering enormous gift: 7 million people thinking it impossible

[01:27:00] - Every Ranger fan says same thing: "Thank you" - as if you gave them tremendous gift

[01:28:00] - Gift that keeps on giving: legend grows every year, 30 years later still resonating

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/

#NHLWraparound #NYRangers #NewYorkRangers #1994StanleyCup #MarkMessier #BrianLeetch #AdamGraves #NeilSmith #StanleyCupFinal #VancouverCanucks #PavelBure #TrevorLinden #KirkMcLean #MikeRichter #SergeiZubov #AlexeiKovalev #SteveLarmer #CraigMacTavish #KevinLowe #GlennAnderson #MikeKeenan #ConnSmythe #Game7 #54YearCurse #1940 #CanyonOfHeroes #TickerTapeParade #MadisonSquareGarden #PacificColiseum #RudyGiuliani #GregAdams #DaveBabych #NathanLaFayette #MartinGelinas #CliffRonning #1994Forever #RangersHistory #ThisOneWillLastALifetime #BroadwayBlueshirts






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About the Podcast

NHL Wraparound Podcast
Neil Smith & Vic Morren
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.