Welcome to MGoBlue Podcasts -- the new podcast home of Michigan Athletics. Here at MGoBlue Podcasts, you'll find several recurring series: In the Trenches (an in-depth look at the Wolverines' football program), Defend the Block (interviews, game recaps and more with Michigan men's and women's basketball), and Conqu'ring Heroes (a one-stop show for the latest on every Michigan program). MGoBlue Podcasts are produced by the Michigan Sports Network from LEARFIELD, in partnership with Michigan A ...
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Michigan Sports Network In Partnership With Michigan Athletics Podcasts
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. Additional ...
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Episode 67 - New Faces/New Places with Elliotte Friedman from Sportsnet
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1:16:20
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IN THIS EPISODE: [02:09] - Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To focuses on a key free agent signing, the return to the Olympics for NHL players, a couple of areas of question within the extended CBA and, since it's the last show of the season, we've added a fourth item where a grizzled veteran is headed to the Rockies. [10:29] - Elliotte Fried…
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Jon and Brian discuss some players who they haven't talked much about this offseason and react to the incredible gift from the Lester Family to Michigan Football in this week's "Seven from 77." Then, around the 39-minute mark, Jon visits with junior defensive tackle Trey Pierce, who discusses the depth of Michigan's defensive line, the impact of hi…
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Burning Topics with Free Agency Underway - July 1, 2025
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The raw volume of signings on Day 1 of Free Agency 2025 was dwarfed by that of a year ago. Still, the off-season is rife with activity and intrigue. Vic and Neil go through a list of topics leaving plenty to ponder... X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038…
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We hear from a returning Michigan men's basketball player this week on Defend the Block. Sophomore L.J. Cason discusses his tryout opportunity with Team USA's U19 team, reflects on some key moments from last season, and details his areas of focus for this summer and beyond. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Noti…
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Human Side of the Story - The Changing World of the NHL Draft - Ep. 66
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8:25
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Two benchmark events in early summer kicks off every NHL season with the Draft and the opening of free agency. With the Draft coming up first, Vic and Neil look back to the structure of the process, how players selected were communicated with, the effect of the WHA in the early 1970's and whether social media and instant communication adds addition…
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Former Wolverine offensive lineman Steve Schilling, who is now a key part of Michigan's NIL strategy, joins us this week on In the Trenches, presented by Meijer. Schilling reflects on his time in Ann Arbor as a student-athlete, details some of his NFL memories, and breaks down his new role as Director of NIL for LEARFIELD's Michigan Sports Properti…
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Once again this week, a Michigan men's basketball assistant coach stops by Defend the Block. Akeem Miskdeen reflects on experiencing another "Year One" of a Dusty May-led program, details his early impressions of the Wolverines' roster for 2025-26, and shares some areas of personal growth as a coach. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy …
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Episode 66 - Draft/Free Agency Preview with Pierre LeBrun from The Athletic
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1:21:15
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While the Florida Panthers players continue to celebrate their second consecutive Stanley Cup, front offices around the NHL have to major events in the crosshairs starting with the Entry Draft on June 27-28 and the start of free agency on Tuesday, July 1. One of hockey's top columnists and insiders joins Neil and Vic as we welcome Pierre LeBrun fro…
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Human Side of the Story - Ep. 65 - From Devil to Duck
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As Brad Marchand skated with the Stanley Cup as a member of the Florida Panthers, a former player with some very similar characteristics to Marchand is in the role of trying to move the Anaheim Ducks from outsider to contender. Pat Verbeek enjoyed a 20-year playing career after being drafted by the New Jersey Devils in 1982. He's scored 500 goals, …
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Stanley Cupdate - REPEAT! - June 18, 2025
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43:56
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Only three franchises in NHL history have earned the "dynasty" title with three straight Stanley Cups titles. Next season, the Florida Panthers will have the opportunity to join the Maple Leafs, Canadiens and Islanders in that elite group after a near-perfect 5-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6. Vic and Neil give their soup-to-nuts breakdown…
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In the Trenches 515 - Juan Castillo
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On this week's "Seven from 77," Jon reacts to the House v. NCAA settlement, discusses the latest in the CFP format debates, and updates fans on what is happening around Schembechler Hall. Then, around the 40-minute mark, Senior Assistant Offensive Line Coach Juan Castillo joins the show to reflect on his fascinating football journey and detail his …
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Michigan men's basketball Assistant Coach Justin Joyner joins us this week to recap his first year at Michigan on and off the floor, assess the Wolverines' defensive work last season, and break down the program's 2025-26 roster with summer workouts getting underway this week. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy No…
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Episode 65 - New Ducks on the Pond With GM Pat Verbeek
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The eye of the hockey world remain on the Panthers and Oilers as the Stanley Cup Final winds down. However, for 30 other clubs, the preparation for the 2025-26 season is well under way. One of those teams appearing to be on the rise is the Anaheim Ducks. General manager Pat Verbeek with join Neil and Vic to talk about a team with an intriguing mix …
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Stanley Cupdate - Panthers on the Verge of a Repeat - June 15, 2025
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In 2024, the Panthers led the Stanley Cup Final 3-games-to-2 with pressure headed back to Edmonton against an Oiler team bent on continuing an historic comeback. This time around, they head home with a chance to repeat after a commanding 5-2 win at Rogers Place led by a 37-year-old unrestricted free agent whose value is actually increasing. Vic and…
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Stanley Cupdate - Seeking to be in the Driver's Seat - June 14, 2025
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Once a winner is determined Saturday, the Florida Panthers will be within a win of a repeat or the Edmonton Oilers will move to within a victory of being the first Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup in 32 years. Vic and Neil cover all of the angles from goaltending to special teams as many of the points made in the Final Preview are playing our t…
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Stanley Cupdate - Leon's Heroics Pull Oilers Even - June 13, 2025
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For the third time in four games, high drama captures the Stanley Cup Final. For the second time, it's Leon Draisaitl delivering in OT for the Oilers as the series becomes a best-of-three on a night where the Panthers appeared primed to go up 3-1. Vic and Neil break it down as the teams head back to Edmonton with the burning question of who starts …
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Human Side of the Story - Ep. 64 - 16,494 days later....
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Known more as a long-time analyst for the Vancouver Canucks, John Garrett's career as a professional goaltender was a modest one played out over 12 seasons, 6 teams and two leagues. As often happens, however, hockey has an odd way of connecting individuals. One previously existed between "Cheech," as Garrett is known and Mr. Hockey, Gordie Howe, go…
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Stanley Cupdate - Panthers Look to Stay on Course, Oilers Look to Change Theirs - June 11, 2025
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Not only was Game 3 a rout, but it was also a classic of example of the Florida Panthers being to exercise their style of play in a way which trapped the Edmonton Oilers into a space they didn't want to be in. With Game 4 on tap Thursday, it's no secret the Panthers will want a repeat and won't be changing a thing while the Oilers look for the heav…
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Steve Casula, a key member of Michigan's coaching staff, visits with Jon Jansen on this week's episode of In the Trenches, presented by Meijer. Casula discusses the addition of Co-Offensive Coordinator duties to his original role of Tight Ends Coach, reflects on his work as the interim OC in the bowl win over Alabama, and breaks down the tight ends…
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Episode 64 - Clawed & Crude with Sportsnet's Jack Michaels
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55:43
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Game 3 started ugly and it only got worse for the Edmonton Oilers as the Florida Panthers had their way in moving to within two wins of consecutive Stanley Cups. Oilers/Sportsnet's play-by-play voice Jack Michael's visit with Neil and Vic to look at where it went wrong and what McDavid and Co. need to do to get the series back on the rails. Afterwa…
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The newest member of Michigan women's basketball's coaching staff joins us this week on Defend the Block. Assistant coach Danielle Rauch discusses her journey to this point of her career, reflects on her time in the Michigan uniform, and details her upcoming priorities. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice a…
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Stanley Cupdate - Changing Places - June 8
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The Final heads from western Canada to the east coast of Florida with an extra day off before the series resumes Monday. Vic and Neil examine what the shift in venue may (or may not) mean with the Panthers grabbing home ice advantage with a double OT win Friday. We'll also dig a bit deeper into the lone head coaching opening in the NHL and where GM…
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Stanley Cupdate - All Even! - June 7, 2025
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After a late overtime goal decided the Stanley Cup Final opener, the Oilers and Panthers figured they'd go one period better in Game 2. After one of the "Sandpaper Seniors" forced extra time for the Oilers, his Panthers counterpart upstaged him to even the series. Vic and Neil break it down before moving on to "This Day in Stanley Cup History" whic…
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Stanley Cupdate - Game Two on Tap and a Change in Dallas - June 6, 2025
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43:35
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Breaking news opens the show with a change behind the bench in Dallas. Game two of the Final is on tap for Friday evening with the Oilers having taken the opener in overtime. Vic and Neil preview the the matchup and lay out the objectives of both clubs as the Panthers look to even the series before heading home to Sunrise for Games 3 and 4. Also, w…
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Stanley Cupdate - Oilers Get the Jump - June 5, 2025
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Any questions to how evenly matched the Panthers and Oilers were heading into their Stanley Cup Final rematch was quickly answered as the teams battled for almost 80 minutes before Leon Draisaitl's power play goal decided matters. Vic and Neil break it all down and also update on plenty of league news, which includes the filling of the last two hea…
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On a special Thursday edition of Defend the Block, Brian Boesch visits with one of the newest members of the men's basketball program - UAB transfer Yaxel Lendeborg. Lendeborg details his transfer portal and NBA Draft processes, recounts his unique journey to this point of his career, and describes his game on the floor and fit with the program. Se…
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Human Side of the Story - Ep. 63 - The Dilemma of Conference Final Runner-up GMs
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The Human Side of the Story focuses on the life of a GM as a conference final runner-up. You're close, but not quite there. The hosts discuss the situations moving forward for the Dallas Stars and Carolina Hurricanes. While the objectives to take that next step are the same, the paths they'll need to take are very different. X: https://twitter.com/…
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Jon and Brian share a jam-packed "Seven from 77" this week, as they discuss the early-season schedule and kickoff times, along with the latest reporting surrounding the future CFP format. Then, around the 34-minute mark, Jon visits with former Wolverine linebacker Mel Owens, who reflects on his Michigan playing career in the late 1970's and discuss…
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Head Coach Dusty May shares 30 minutes with us this week on Defend the Block! May reflects on the recruiting processes for Michigan's portal additions, discusses the Wolverines' incoming freshman class, and breaks down the importance of Michigan's four returning rotation players. For more details on the Michigan men's lacrosse golf outing, click he…
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