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 14th installment of this series, the WCHA is spotlighting not one but two Minnesota Women's Hockey alums in Audrey and Madeline Wethington, who are now both medical students at the University of Minnesota Medical School.
Audrey graduated with her Bachelor's degree in Biology in 2024 and completed her Master's degree in Biological Sciences in 2025 while competing at the highest level of collegiate hockey as a forward at Minnesota. During her time as a student-athlete, Audrey obtained many accolades, including being named a four-time WCHA Scholar Athlete and All-Academic team member, a CSC First Team Academic All-American, an Elite 90 Award recipient, an Allstate NACDA Good Works Team (Winter) member, and countless other awards. Audrey also received the Big Ten Conference and NCAA Post Graduate scholarships for medical school. On the ice, Audrey set a Minnesota program record in career games played with 175 and made two NCAA Frozen Four appearances with the Gophers. Audrey is now pursuing a career in medicine with interests in orthopedic surgery, sports medicine, anesthesiology, and cardiology
Madeline earned her bachelor's degree in Cellular and Organismal Physiology. She completed a master's degree in Biological Sciences, with a focus on cardiovascular research and medical education, while competing as a defender for Minnesota from 2019 to 2024. Madeline was also a four-time WCHA Scholar Athlete and All-Academic team member, along with being named a CSC First Team Academic All-American. Madeline was also a recipient of the Big Ten Conference and NCAA Post Graduate scholarships for medical school. She finished her Gopher career with 173 games played, tying the Minnesota program record. She also recorded her 100th career point with an assist vs. No. 4 Clarkson in the NCAA Regional round. As a freshman, Madeline was named the WCHA Rookie of the Year and was a three-time All-WCHA honoree. Madeline hopes to pursue a career in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine, where she can combine her passion for athletics, teamwork, and patient care. Her ultimate goal is to serve as a professional or collegiate team physician, helping athletes return to the sports they love.
Read below on how playing at Minnesota and in the WCHA had a major impact on the Wethington sisters.
How did playing college and/or professional hockey prepare you for your current career?
Audrey - Playing college hockey prepared me tremendously for medical school. It taught me discipline, time management, resilience, and how to perform under pressure. Hockey also instilled a strong sense of teamwork and a relentless work ethic, the mentality that no obstacle is too big and that hard work and perseverance can help you achieve your goals. Balancing academics, athletics, travel, and personal responsibilities prepared me to manage the demands of medical training and thrive in a team-based environment.
Madeline - Hockey taught me countless life lessons: how to stay composed under pressure, work toward long-term goals, and embrace challenges, setbacks, and constructive criticism. Medical school requires many of those same skills, including preparation, discipline, adaptability, strong work ethic, and teamwork. Being part of high-performing teams also taught me the importance of communication, trusting the people around you, and valuing every person's role. Those lessons translate directly to caring for patients and collaborating with multidisciplinary healthcare teams.
What was your favorite memory from playing in the WCHA?
Audrey - My favorite memory was winning the final Faceoff at Ridder Arena. There was something special about competing for a championship alongside my teammates, especially in our home rink with our great fan base.
Madeline - It's hard to pick just one memory, but besides winning the WCHA Final Faceoff at Ridder Arena, clinching our spot in the Frozen Four at home is a moment I'll never forget. The atmosphere in Ridder was electric, and sharing that celebration with my teammates, coaches, family, and the best fans in college hockey made it incredibly special.
What advice would you give to current WCHA players?
Audrey - Soak up every moment. From pregame meals to the toughest workouts, enjoy the little moments with your teammates because those are the memories you'll cherish most. You'll likely never be closer to a group of people than you are with your teammates, so lean on them and appreciate every day because it all goes by way too fast.
Madeline - This is so cheesy, but it is so true: Be where your feet are! Your career will go by much faster than you think (trust me), so enjoy the everyday moments—the practices, road trips, locker room conversations, and time spent with your teammates outside the rink. Championships and awards are great, but the friendships and memories you build along the way are what you'll carry with you and miss long after hockey ends.
What advice would you give to your college self?
Audrey - Look for ways that you can best contribute to your team and embrace that role. The sooner you embrace your uniqueness and understand the value you bring, the more fulfilled and successful you'll be.
Madeline - Don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and say yes to new opportunities. Some of the most meaningful experiences I had, whether in leadership, research, or community service, came from taking chances that felt intimidating and time-consuming at first. Those experiences helped shape who I am far beyond hockey.
What was the most rewarding part about playing in the WCHA?
Audrey - The most rewarding part was competing in the best conference in college hockey, where any team could win on any given night. It was an incredible experience to play in arenas full of passionate fans of all ages and compete against elite talent.
Madeline - The most rewarding part was being surrounded every day by teammates who challenged me to become a better player and person. Competing on and against the best teams in the country while representing my home state was an incredible privilege, and the relationships I built through the WCHA are what I value most. Ever since I was a little girl, it was my dream to wear the Block M, and getting the opportunity to live out that dream is something I'll never take for granted. Hearing the Pride of Minnesota Marching Band play the Rouser after a big goal or a big win is a feeling that's hard to put into words and one that I'll always cherish.
What do you know now that you wish you had known when you were playing?
Audrey - I wish I had spent less time worrying about stats, playing time, and things outside of my control, and more time appreciating the opportunity to compete alongside my teammates. Looking back, the moments I cherish most aren't the numbers; they're the relationships, the memories, and simply getting to lace up my skates every day.
Madeline - I wish I had embraced the daily routine and the grind a little more. At the time, the early mornings, long practices, multiple workouts a day, bus rides, and long seasons could feel endless, but looking back, those everyday moments are what I miss the most. It's easy to get caught up in the next game or the next season, forgetting that one day it will all be over. The habits, discipline, resilience, and friendships built through those daily routines prepared me not only to be a better hockey player but also for life beyond the game, and I wish I had appreciated that even more while I was living it.
WCHA Alumni Spotlight Features
Anna Erickson, St. Thomas
Makayla Langei, Bemidji State
Sofia Even (Poinar), Minnesota State
Sis Paulsen, Wisconsin
Abby Haluska, Bemidji State
Julianna Iafallo, Ohio State
Margot Miller, North Dakota
Emma Yanko, Minnesota Duluth
Gabby Billing, St. Thomas
Baylee Stevenson (Gillanders), Minnesota
Sadie Lundquist, Bemidji State
Sheri Hudspeth (Maisonneuve), Minnesota State
Rachel Herzog, St. Cloud State
For more information on the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, follow the league on X and Instagram @WCHA_WHockey, and online at wcha.com.