12 episodes

“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...

Unreel: West Coast Express Toul Kit Content

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.9 • 337 Ratings

“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...

    It was the best of times…

    It was the best of times…

    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 RintoulAudio production by Andrei DeaconPodcast Supervision by Aaron JohnsonNHL game audio courtesy the National Hockey LeagueSpecial thanks to the following NHL personnel:Hannah Readnour, Vice President, Footage & Media LicensingMatthew Manacher, Footage Licensing ManagerTeresa Wiltshire, Footage Licensing CoordinatorNick Martinez, Coordinator, Footage Licensing OperationsThank you to CKNW and Sportsnet for assistance in compiling game audioSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 44 min
    A New York Minute

    A New York Minute

    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 RintoulAudio production by Andrei DeaconPodcast Supervision by Aaron JohnsonSpecial thanks to the following NHL personnel:Hannah Readnour, Vice President, Footage & Media LicensingMatthew Manacher, Footage Licensing ManagerTeresa Wiltshire, Footage Licensing CoordinatorNick Martinez, Coordinator, Footage Licensing OperationsNHL game audio courtesy the National Hockey LeagueThank you to CKNW and Sportsnet for assistance in compiling game audioSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 48 min
    New Sheriff in Town

    New Sheriff in Town

    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 RintoulAudio production by Andrei DeaconPodcast Supervision by Aaron JohnsonSpecial thanks to the following NHL personnel:Hannah Readnour, Vice President, Footage & Media LicensingMatthew Manacher, Footage Licensing ManagerTeresa Wiltshire, Footage Licensing CoordinatorNick Martinez, Coordinator, Footage Licensing Operations NHL game audio courtesy the National Hockey LeagueThank you to CKNW and Sportsnet for assistance in compiling game audioSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 44 min
    Markus with a C

    Markus with a C

    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 RintoulAudio production by Andrei DeaconPodcast Supervision by Aaron JohnsonSpecial thanks to the following NHL personnel:Hannah Readnour, Vice President, Footage & Media LicensingMatthew Manacher, Footage Licensing ManagerTeresa Wiltshire, Footage Licensing CoordinatorNick Martinez, Coordinator, Footage Licensing Operations NHL game audio courtesy the National Hockey LeagueThank you to CKNW and Sportsnet for assistance in compiling game audioSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 52 min
    All Aboard

    All Aboard

    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 RintoulAudio production by Andrei DeaconPodcast Supervision by Aaron JohnsonSpecial thanks to the following NHL personnel:Hannah Readnour, Vice President, Footage & Media LicensingMatthew Manacher, Footage Licensing ManagerTeresa Wiltshire, Footage Licensing CoordinatorNick Martinez, Coordinator, Footage Licensing Operations NHL game audio courtesy the National Hockey LeagueThank you to CKNW and Sportsnet for assistance in compiling game audioSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 54 min
    Full Steam Ahead

    Full Steam Ahead

    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 RintoulAudio production by Andrei DeaconPodcast Supervision by Aaron JohnsonSpecial thanks to the following NHL personnel:Hannah Readnour, Vice President, Footage & Media LicensingMatthew Manacher, Footage Licensing ManagerTeresa Wiltshire, Footage Licensing CoordinatorNick Martinez, Coordinator, Footage Licensing Operations NHL game audio courtesy the National Hockey LeagueThank you to CKNW and Sportsnet for assistance in compiling game audioSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 1 hr 14 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
337 Ratings

337 Ratings

Ruilin96 ,

Must Listen Podcast for Canucks fan

I have been a die har Canucks fan since the late 2000s and early 2010s. As an immigrant, I wasn’t in Canada during the late 1990s and early 2000s so my Knowledge of the WCE era is limited to just Wikipedia and fan discussion forums. This podcast did a deep dive back in Canucks history, and listening to it made me feel like I had a chance to live through an era I was never part of and filled a big void in my part of the fandom. Really impressed with the narration, script writing and also the number of guests appearing on the show to re-tell this part in Canucks history. It is a must listen podcast for all Canucks fans!

Dudman123 ,

Great!

Surprising in depth. Learned a lot.

JBWDaudlin ,

Still Mad

What a fun listen! - except when it brought back my anger for blowing that Minnesota series. Strongly recommend for any long time Canucks fan! Interesting and entertaining to hear and reminisce about how things developed between the 1994 and 2011 cup runs. Do another one! How about 1989 Game 7 to the 94 run? Or the first decade to the ‘82 run?

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