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Published on:

1st Sep 2025

NHL Wraparound Hall of Fame Edition - Scotty Bowman

With the calendar flipping to September and the 2025-26 season now just a month away, Neil and Vic are proud to launch the Hall of Fame Edition.

NHL Wraparound launched in January 2024 with the greatest player, Wayne Gretzky, as the first guest. This new franchise begins with its greatest-ever coach, Scotty Bowman.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[02:52] - Scotty joins the show and we go all the way back to the his beginnings starting with his parents coming over from Scotland to being raised in a suburb of Montreal to learning to speak French.

[08:24] - Growing up in Montreal, one would think Bowman would have been a fan of the Canadiens. Not so. Scotty also shares fond memories of his day and working as a laborer on the Verdun Auditorium.

[12:00] - Into the coaching world and learning the tricks of the trade of hockey business under the legendary Sam Pollock.

[19:22] - More insight into the success of Pollock.

[23:53] - Though the objectives of hockey have remained consistent, through the lens of seven decades, Scotty notes the game itself differs greatly now from the days when he first broke in - particularly in terms of how teams are built.

[28:19] - Further elaboration on team construction and why some approaches work better than others.

[30:34] - The influence of European systems - particularly Russian - in the North American game. Scotty shares how Slava Fetisov and Igor Larionov ended up in Detroit.

[36:19] - Today's player and the entitlement of that appears to permeate through a new generation of professionals in all fields.

[37:22] - Coaching superstars. Save for his first head coaching role in St. Louis, Scotty has coached the elite in Montreal, Buffalo, Pittsburgh and Detroit and sees a differently methodology in having to coach today's superstars.

[41:25] - The different approaches to getting the best from Guy Lafleur and Steve Yzerman.

[45:08] - Having coached the Canadiens dynasty from 1976-79 and the Penguins team that fell short in 1993, Scotty has seen it from both sides. With the Florida Panthers in a position to join an elite group, he shares what he deems as key as to whether the Panthers make history in the spring of 2026.

[48:46] - Neil and share recollections of two head coaches they both were connected to: Roger Neilson and Mike Keenan.

[59:28] - Vic and Neil wrap on a memorable hour with Scotty Bowman.

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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.