Episode 24

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Published on:

9th Aug 2024

EP 24 Building it Back up with Keith Jones

Neil Smith and Vic Morren are joined by Philadelphia Flyers' President of Hockey Operations, Keith Jones, and championship team-building expert, Lee Elias, to discuss team building and culture in the NHL. Jones shares his experiences with the Flyers and emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive team culture. The episode also features insights from Lee Elias, CEO of Hockey Wraparound, on the significance of team dynamics and leadership. The hosts explore how effective team building and thoughtful management strategies can lead to success in the NHL.

IN THIS EPISODE: 

  • [00:37] Hosts Catch Up on Summer Activities
  • [01:22] Interview with Keith Jones of the Philadelphia Flyers
  • [03:29] Keith Jones on Becoming a Grandfather
  • [04:51] Challenges and Strategies for the Flyers
  • [08:14] Expectations for Matvei Michkov
  • [12:30] Flyers' Goaltending Situation
  • [17:59] Keith Jones' Broadcasting Career and Advice
  • [20:29] Introduction to Lee Elias Game 7 Group
  • [29:19] Collaborative Leadership in Hockey Operations
  • [29:40] Building a Competitive Team Without Hitting Rock Bottom
  • [30:05] The Importance of Communication and Analytics
  • [31:16] Recognizing and Balancing Noise vs. News
  • [32:06] Identifying Red Flags and Key Indicators in Team Culture
  • [32:43] The Role of Leadership in Building Team Culture
  • [36:16] The Impact of Ownership on Team Culture
  • [39:42] Youth Hockey and Emphasizing Team and Culture Building
  • [43:33] Philadelphia Sports Fans
  • [50:48] Building a Stanley Cup Winning Team

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

  • Keith Jones emphasizes the importance of working closely with all members of the team, from the coaching staff to the players, ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard in the decision-making process.
  • Both Keith and Lee stress that a winning culture is a living entity that needs constant attention. Success in professional sports often starts with a strong, positive culture that resonates throughout the organization.
  • Keith highlights how crucial it is to develop not just skilled hockey players, but also strong, well-rounded individuals, starting from youth hockey programs.
  • The discussion touches on the demanding yet passionate nature of Philadelphia sports fans and how their expectations influence the way the Flyers operate.


RESOURCE LINKS 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

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/

NHL Wraparound Tik Tok:https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

NHL Wraparound Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787


SPONSORSHIP:

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GAME 7 GROUP- www.gamesevengroup.com/nhlwraparound

At Game Seven Group, we specialize in transforming individuals into cohesive teams through our team-building events, coaching, and speaking. We believe every team has the potential to achieve extraordinary results.


BIO:

Keith Jones is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He was a hockey studio analyst for NBC/NBCSN from 2005–2021 and TNT from 2021-2023. He currently works as the President of Hockey Operations for the Philadelphia Flyers. In 491 NHL games, Jones produced a total of 258 points between 1992 and 2000


Lee M.J. Elias is a championship coach who has worked at the international, professional, collegiate, and youth levels. He is an award-winning author, podcast host, and speaker and is the founder and CEO of Hockey Wraparound and Game Seven Group. Lee is passionate about his mission to turn individuals into teams through his coaching, speaking, and consulting work.



#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #Sports #Broadcasting #StanleyCup #Coaching #Media #Management #ESPN #TNT #Playoffs #Championships #NeilSmith #VicMorren #KeithJones #PhiladelphiaFlyers #LeeElias #HockeyWraparound #GameSevenGroup #TeamBuilding #TeamCulture

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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.