Across the storied history of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, countless student-athletes have left their mark on the ice and have continued to excel in their post-collegiate careers. In this special Alumni Spotlight series, the WCHA will highlight former players around the league who have made an impact and gone above and beyond in their respective professional careers.
In the first installment of this series, the WCHA is highlighting former St. Cloud State skater Rachel Herzog. The 2022 St. Cloud State graduate currently serves as a TV Host and Analyst for the New Jersey Devils on MSG Networks.
During her time at St. Cloud State, Herzog skated in 130 games for the Huskies from 2016 to 2020. After her playing career ended with the Huskies, Herzog worked for Husky Productions as both an analyst and an ice side reporter for the St. Cloud State Men's Hockey games. Before working in her current role with the New Jersey Devils, Herzog worked as a weekend sports anchor and reporter for WDAY-TV in Fargo, where she covered the state boys' and girls' hockey and basketball tournaments.
How did playing college and or professional hockey prepare you for your current career?
Playing hockey in the WCHA was a big reason why I was able to land this job with MSG Networks. They were not only looking for a new host, but someone who could also be an analyst. Someone that has a thorough understanding of the game and could also contribute in breaking down plays. My collegiate hockey career gave me a big advantage over the other applicants for the position.
What was your favorite memory from playing in the WCHA?
My favorite memory from playing in the WCHA was playing in the first-ever outdoor women’s collegiate hockey game in St. Cloud against UMD. Our team won in a shootout, and it was such a cool feeling to be a part of a little piece of women’s hockey history.
What advice would you give to current WCHA Players?
My advice to those who are currently playing in the WCHA would be to enjoy every single moment of your career. The ups and the downs, the daily practices, every game day, locker room fun with your teammates. You don’t truly realize how fast those 4 (or 5) years truly go by. There’s nothing like having a team that feels like family.
What advice would you give your college self?
The advice I would give to my college self would be to say yes to every opportunity. When I made the switch into journalism my junior year, there were moments where I was afraid to put myself out there and make mistakes. But the more comfortable I got, the more I was willing to try new things. I would encourage myself to push my boundaries right away and absorb as much as I could at the time.
What was the most rewarding part about playing in the WCHA?
The most rewarding part about playing in the WCHA was knowing that every single weekend I was playing against the best teams in the country. I am hyper-competitive, so I only wanted to play college hockey if it meant I was competing against the best. There’s no league that compares to the level of competition the WCHA brings, and I’m grateful to have had all the experiences I did in my collegiate career.
What do you know now that you wish you knew when you were playing?
I wish I knew how fast those playing years would go by. I would have written more of those memories down, because I know I laughed, competed, and loved more than I ever thought I would playing hockey at SCSU. Those years are irreplaceable, and I reflect on them very fondly. I am truly grateful to have had that experience.
For more information on the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, follow the league on X and Instagram @WCHA_WHockey, and online at wcha.com.