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Published on:

14th Dec 2025

Pierre Turgeon: 500-Goal Scorer on Hall of Fame Career & Life Lessons

Pierre Turgeon, 2023 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee and one of only 48 players in NHL history to score 500 goals, joins Neil and Vic for an intimate Hall of Fame Edition conversation. From representing Canada in the Little League World Series alongside Stefan Matteau to scoring 132 points in his best NHL season, Turgeon reflects on his remarkable 19-year career. He shares memories of the Dale Hunter hit, the emotional closing of the Montreal Forum, playing alongside legends, and the personal tragedy that changed his perspective on life and gratitude.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] - Pierre Turgeon joins as the latest Hockey Hall of Fame Edition guest, one of 48 players with 500+ career goals.

[01:00] - The quirky connection: playing for the Granby Bisons in junior hockey, then getting drafted by the Buffalo Bisons (Sabres).

[02:00] - Early comfort in Buffalo: Jacques Cloutier as a fellow French-speaker helping ease the transition to the NHL.

[03:00] - The incredible 1985-86 junior season: 114 points as a 16-year-old despite the team having four different head coaches.

[04:00] - The meditation of hockey: being in the moment on the ice where nothing else matters - pure presence in the bubble.

[05:00] - Little League World Series glory: representing Canada with Stefan Matteau, both 11-year-old pitchers alternating, finishing fourth.

[06:00] - Playing at 5'11" as an 11-year-old, pitching in front of 25,000 fans, and the hero's welcome at the airport back home.

[08:00] - Life in Colorado and Florida: visiting three kids and grandkids in Denver, spending time in Vail, embracing the Rockies and sports culture.

[09:00] - The Dale Hunter hit in 1993 playoffs: scoring the series-clinching goal against Washington, the controversial blind-side hit, and Hunter's later apology.

[10:00] - Al Arbor's leadership magic: making the Islanders believe they could beat Pittsburgh in 1993, winning Game 7 on David Volek's overtime goal.

[11:00] - Dressing for Game 7 with one shoulder, ready to play overtime despite the injury, learning from Arbor's wisdom.

[12:00] - Junior hockey connections: playing with Stefan Richer and Stephan Quintal, now skating together in Florida.

[14:00] - The hilarious Stefan Richer story: "Can't tell" his name at a Boston diner leading to confused locals with heavy accents.

[15:00] - Clark Gillies' impact: the intimidating beard in Buffalo, later becoming a great friend and storyteller on Long Island.

[16:00] - Six years with Benoit Hogue: playing together in Buffalo, New York (Islanders), and Dallas - lifelong friendship.

[17:00] - The Clint Malarchuk incident, March 22, 1989: witnessing hockey's worst accident, the army medic trainer's quick response saving a life.

[19:00] - Hall of Fame journey: first eligible in 2010, inducted in 2023 - the platform to thank people who helped along the way.

[22:00] - Playing only 104 games for the Canadiens but being honored with the most memorable moment of his career.

[24:00] - March 11, 1996: The closing of the Montreal Forum, the seven-minute standing ovation for Maurice Richard, walking the red carpet.

[25:00] - Being the final Canadiens captain to exit the Forum: receiving the torch from Butch Bouchard, Jean Beliveau, and the legends.

[26:00] - Family sacrifice: time away from family, the support system, coaching kids' hockey after retiring.

[27:00] - The unimaginable tragedy: losing daughter Jenna at 18 in a car accident in 2010, two years stuck in mud, learning to live with loss.

[29:00] - Giving back all the highlights: the Hall of Fame, the goals, the captaincy - all of it for one more moment with her.

[30:00] - Living in the moment: appreciating birds, branches, trees, mountains, water - finding beauty in small things and embracing gratitude.

[31:00] - Golf as connection with nature: competitive but appreciative, playing a few times a week, understanding how good the pros really are.

[32:00] - Brother Sylvain Turgeon: 1983 second overall pick to Hartford, now in Calgary, the biggest influence on Pierre's career.

[34:00] - Gratitude despite tragedy: the poignant exchange about living with loss while remaining thankful for what remains.

[35:00] - The wisdom of living in the moment: advice for anyone listening - happiness comes from presence, not past or future.

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 #PierreTurgeon #HockeyHallOfFame #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #BuffaloSabres #NewYorkIslanders #MontrealCanadiens #DallasStars #StLouisBlues #ColoradoAvalanche #GranbyBisons #AlArbor #DaleHunter #ClarkGillies #BenoitHogue #JacquesCloutier #StefanRicher #StephanQuintal #DavidVolek #SylvainTurgeon #SteveYzerman #PatLaFontaine #BrianLawton #MontrealForum #MauriceRichard #JeanBeliveau #ButchBouchard #BobGainey #ClintMalarchuk #LittleLeagueWorldSeries #StefanMatteau #500GoalClub #HallOfFame2023 #WashingtonCapitals #PittsburghPenguins #DetroitRedWings #BrianTrottier

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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.