Unreel: West Coast Express

“UNREEL: West Coast Express” is the story of the men who reinvigorated a once vibrant hockey market as told by Markus Naslund, Todd Bertuzzi, Brendan Morrison as well as other prominent teammates and figures. Written and narrated by Scott Rintoul, it is a journey from some of the darkest days in franchise history to the precipice of greatness along a path of unforgettable triumphs and defeats. Four years after nearly winning the Stanley Cup, the Vancouver Canucks were engulfed in chaos. Amidst a change in ownership, constant organizational churn and a four-year playoff drought, three unlikely stars emerged from the rubble to resuscitate the franchise. Despite none of them being drafted by the Canucks, Naslund, Bertuzzi and Morrison came to form one of hockey’s most dominant lines, the West Coast Express. A nightly fixture on highlight reels, the West Coast Express turned Vancouver back into a contender, and they appeared destined for a run at the Stanley Cup before it all came undone in a matter of moments. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the wake of nearly winning the 1994 Stanley Cup, the Vancouver Canucks expect to contend for years to come as they open a brand new, downtown arena. Star scorer Alexander Mogilny is added via trade as the Canucks bolster their roster for another run at the Cup. Across the continent, Markus Naslund struggles to adapt to the NHL as a highly touted prospect, and is ultimately traded out of Pittsburgh. Vancouver undergoes an unexpected change in ownership, which comes with a new approach to doing business and nearly results in signing Wayne Gretzky. The Canucks not only miss out on The Great One, they also end up missing the playoffs for the first time in seven years. Written & Narrated by Scott Rintoul Audio production by Andrei Deacon Podcast Supervision by Aaron Johnson NHL game audio courtesy the National Hockey League Special thanks to the following NHL personnel: Hannah Readnour, Vice President, Footage & Media Licensing Matthew Manacher, Footage Licensing Manager Teresa Wiltshire, Footage Licensing Coordinator Nick Martinez, Coordinator, Footage Licensing Operations Thank you to CKNW and Sportsnet for assistance in compiling game audio See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Canucks sign the most prolific free agent in franchise history, Mark Messier, in an effort to vault them back into Stanley Cup contention. Vancouver struggles early and shocks the hockey world by firing President and GM, Pat Quinn, just a month into the season. In the wake of Quinn’s dismissal, Mike Keenan is brought in to replace Tom Renney as head coach, and he begins to dismantle the roster shortly thereafter. Fan favourite Trevor Linden is traded to the New York Islanders in a move that both lands Todd Bertuzzi and further alienates an already disgruntled fan base. The Canucks miss the playoffs for a second straight season and are suddenly left with more questions than answers about the future of the franchise. Written & Narrated by Scott Rintoul Audio production by Andrei Deacon Podcast Supervision by Aaron Johnson Special thanks to the following NHL personnel: Hannah Readnour, Vice President, Footage & Media Licensing Matthew Manacher, Footage Licensing Manager Teresa Wiltshire, Footage Licensing Coordinator Nick Martinez, Coordinator, Footage Licensing Operations NHL game audio courtesy the National Hockey League Thank you to CKNW and Sportsnet for assistance in compiling game audio See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Burke is hired as general manager of the Canucks, which immediately puts head coach Mike Keenan on notice and the roster on high alert. Superstar Pavel Bure refuses to play after demanding a trade, saddling Burke with his first big decision. Early injuries to key players hamper Vancouver’s chances at a bounce back season, and tensions rise between Burke and Keenan. Markus Naslund turns an opportunity for more playing time into a breakout season that sees him become an NHL All Star. Bure is finally traded and Burke replaces Keenan behind the bench with Marc Crawford, who begins to assess which players he plans to build around. The Canucks finish at the bottom of the Western Conference for a second straight season, but Burke leverages his assets to pull off one of the biggest draft day splashes in NHL history. Written & Narrated by Scott Rintoul Audio production by Andrei Deacon Podcast Supervision by Aaron Johnson Special thanks to the following NHL personnel: Hannah Readnour, Vice President, Footage & Media Licensing Matthew Manacher, Footage Licensing Manager Teresa Wiltshire, Footage Licensing Coordinator Nick Martinez, Coordinator, Footage Licensing Operations   NHL game audio courtesy the National Hockey League Thank you to CKNW and Sportsnet for assistance in compiling game audio See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marc Crawford's first full season behind the bench in Vancouver is the last for a pair of high-profile players. The Canucks get stronger at centre by signing Andrew Cassels and trading for Brendan Morrison, but their search for stability in goal continues. Todd Bertuzzi begins to break out as an impact player, and new era begins when Markus Naslund is named captain. The Sedins make the jump to the NHL, Ed Jovanovski takes a big step on the back end, and Vancouver returns to the playoffs for the first time in five years.  Written & Narrated by Scott Rintoul Audio production by Andrei Deacon Podcast Supervision by Aaron Johnson Special thanks to the following NHL personnel: Hannah Readnour, Vice President, Footage & Media Licensing Matthew Manacher, Footage Licensing Manager Teresa Wiltshire, Footage Licensing Coordinator Nick Martinez, Coordinator, Footage Licensing Operations   NHL game audio courtesy the National Hockey League Thank you to CKNW and Sportsnet for assistance in compiling game audio See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coming off their return to the playoffs, the Canucks struggle to live up to expectations early in the season after Todd Bertuzzi's suspension and an injury to Andrew Cassels hinder their top line. GM Brian Burke is celebrated for bringing Trevor Linden back to Vancouver via trade, but it's Burke's speech in late December that finally kickstarts the Canucks turnaround. In mid-January, Brendan Morrison is inserted between Markus Naslund and Bertuzzi on the first line, and the trio quickly emerges as a dominant force dubbed "The West Coast Express". Vancouver charges into the playoffs as the league's hottest team and is on track to upset top-seeded Detroit before a lucky goal becomes the catalyst for the Red Wings' comeback. Written & Narrated by Scott Rintoul Audio production by Andrei Deacon Podcast Supervision by Aaron Johnson Special thanks to the following NHL personnel: Hannah Readnour, Vice President, Footage & Media Licensing Matthew Manacher, Footage Licensing Manager Teresa Wiltshire, Footage Licensing Coordinator Nick Martinez, Coordinator, Footage Licensing Operations   NHL game audio courtesy the National Hockey League Thank you to CKNW and Sportsnet for assistance in compiling game audio See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Determined to atone for their playoff shortcomings, the Canucks emerge as one of the league's top teams and the West Coast Express as the NHL's most dominant line. The Canucks become a hot ticket around the league, and the media spotlight intensifies on Markus Naslund, Todd Bertuzzi and Brendan Morrison. The trio and team put themselves in position to capitalize on major opportunities late in the regular season and into the postseason, where they encounter the most pressure-packed moments of their careers.  Written & Narrated by Scott Rintoul Audio production by Andrei Deacon Podcast Supervision by Aaron Johnson Special thanks to the following NHL personnel: Hannah Readnour, Vice President, Footage & Media Licensing Matthew Manacher, Footage Licensing Manager Teresa Wiltshire, Footage Licensing Coordinator Nick Martinez, Coordinator, Footage Licensing Operations   NHL game audio courtesy the National Hockey League Thank you to CKNW and Sportsnet for assistance in compiling game audio See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Having squandered an opportunity for a lengthy playoff run, the Canucks face a heightened level of scrutiny. Todd Bertuzzi's contract negotiation drags into the regular season and becomes a tenuous issue internally. Vancouver and Colorado reestablish themselves as elite teams in the Western Conference, and each looks to gain the upper hand in three head-to-head matchups beginning in mid-February. Steve Moore's hit on Markus Naslund becomes a point of contention and eventually leads to an act of revenge that transcends both the rivalry and the sport itself. With Bertuzzi suspended for the rest of the season and beyond, the Canucks attempt to pull themselves together for their most important games of the campaign. Written & Narrated by Scott Rintoul Audio production by Andrei Deacon Podcast Supervision by Aaron Johnson Special thanks to the following NHL personnel: Hannah Readnour, Vice President, Footage & Media Licensing Matthew Manacher, Footage Licensing Manager Teresa Wiltshire, Footage Licensing Coordinator Nick Martinez, Coordinator, Footage Licensing Operations   NHL game audio courtesy the National Hockey League Thank you to CKNW and Sportsnet for assistance in compiling game audio See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The NHL lockout means different things for many prominent Canucks as the league loses an entire season. Todd Bertuzzi faces legal consequences for his actions against Steve Moore, and remains suspended indefinitely. The lockout finally ends, Bertuzzi is reinstated, and the Canucks are viewed as a Stanley Cup contender. But as the West Coast Express attempts to rekindle its magic, external and internal pressures create turbulent conditions to navigate through.  Written & Narrated by Scott Rintoul Audio production by Andrei Deacon Podcast Supervision by Aaron Johnson Special thanks to the following NHL personnel: Hannah Readnour, Vice President, Footage & Media Licensing Matthew Manacher, Footage Licensing Manager Teresa Wiltshire, Footage Licensing Coordinator Nick Martinez, Coordinator, Footage Licensing Operations   NHL game audio courtesy the National Hockey League Thank you to CKNW and Sportsnet for assistance in compiling game audio See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Facing a crossroads for his club, GM Dave Nonis overhauls the coaching staff and a part of the Canucks' core as he redefines his team's identity. Alain Vigneault replaces Marc Crawford behind the bench, Todd Bertuzzi is traded to Florida for goalie Roberto Luongo, and Ed Jovanovski leaves in free agency. Markus Naslund and Brendan Morrison attempt to adapt to new roles and a new style of play, while Bertuzzi tries to forge a new path south of the border. The three members of the West Coast Express go on to finish their respective careers on separate teams before reflecting on their time together in Vancouver. Written & Narrated by Scott Rintoul Audio production by Andrei Deacon Podcast Supervision by Aaron Johnson Special thanks to the following NHL personnel: Hannah Readnour, Vice President, Footage & Media Licensing Matthew Manacher, Footage Licensing Manager Teresa Wiltshire, Footage Licensing Coordinator Nick Martinez, Coordinator, Footage Licensing Operations   NHL game audio courtesy the National Hockey League Thank you to CKNW and Sportsnet for assistance in compiling game audio See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott Rintoul has an announcement for listeners of UNREEL: West Coast Express. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a bonus episode featuring Markus Naslund, Todd Bertuzzi and Brendan Morrison in a roundtable conversation with host Scott Rintoul. The three members of the West Coast Express react to hearing the podcast series, offer new insight into specific events from their playing careers, and share a few stories from their time together with the Canucks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices