NASHVILLE -- Andrew Herzog knew quite some time ago that his chances of playing in the NHL were beyond slim.
A native of Mendota Heights, Minn., Herzog decided to go to the Air Force Academy and try to play hockey for his uncle, Air Force coach Frank Serratore.
"I tried to give it a shot without playing juniors, but I couldn't hack it," Herzog said.
Instead, he stayed and spent four years as a student manager, skating with the practice squad.