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Published on:

1st Oct 2025

NHL Wraparound Hall of Fame Edition - Scott Stevens

The NHL has a long history of players who have made their mark as open-ice hitters, perhaps none who delivered more punishment than Scott Stevens.

The 2007 Hall of Fame inductee joins Neil and Vic to talk playing style, leadership and captaincy and winning three Stanley Cups in New Jersey under three different head coaches.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:44] - Neil opens about one of his pet peeves: a player having to answer for delivering a big hit. As Stevens shares, it's a far cry from when he played.

[04:06] - Neil takes Scott back to his days as a Ranger...a Kitchener Ranger, where he had his number 3 retired. That number followed him to Washington, then changed when he went to St. Louis and, later, New Jersey.

[06:07] - First NHL Game, October 6, 1982.

[06:54] - Highly emotional in his early years in the NHL, Stevens shares his turning point took where learned he could maintain his intensity and keep his emotions more in check.

[09:34] - Scott's mentors upon his arrival in Washington in 1982.

[11:09] - Captain's have varying leadership styles. For Stevens, it was always less about words and more about setting examples through action.

[13:11] - After spending his first eight seasons in Washington, Stevens signed as a free agent in St. Louis in 1990 only to be awarded to New Jersey as compensation for the Blues signing Brendan Shanahan a year later.

[15:08] - The acclimation to new teammates in New Jersey and assuming the Devils captaincy in his second season with the team.

[16:46] - Neil explains the Group I/Group II free agency in that era which left Stevens future in the hands of an arbitrator. Scott also notes the emotions waiting for the decision to come down.

[20:16] - As captain of the three New Jersey Cup winners in 1995, 2000 and 2003, was the best Devils team ever one that did not capture a title?

[22:19] - The first Cup in 1995 following a half-season lockout.

[24:37] - Stevens comments on the three different head coaches behind the bench for those Stanley Cup wins.

[30:31] - In each of those championship seasons, a signature hit was delivered to players with their heads down. According to Stevens, it was that physical play which helped the other parts of his game.

[31:55] - Considering the ferocity of Stevens open-ice hits, the number of elbowing penalties he incurred in a 22-season career might surprise you.

[34:03] - A little comic relief.

[35:55] - The first-ever Devil to have his number retired.

[37:25] - Neil wraps up the interview revealing to Scott that they actually had a common defense partner at different points in their careers.

[39:47] - Closing words on the Scott Stevens interview.

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/

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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.