Michael Herzog

Michael Herzog, who began playing ice hockey as a boy with EK Zell am See, was one of the best Austrian defenseman for almost a decade. He stayed with them as a senior in 1968-69, playing at the top level of Austrian ice hockey. In 1972 he moved to Graz for his studies and joined ATSE Graz, winning two Austrian titles in 1975 and 1978. In 1979 he joined Kapfenberger SV and in 1980 joined HC Salzburg, playing with them through 1982. He paired with Bernard Hutz on defense with Salzburg and the national team. Herzog ended his Austrian league career with 382 games, scoring 26 goals, with 76 assists. Internationally, he played in the 1976 Winter Olympics, was a member of six Austrian world championships teams (four Pool B and two Pool C), and earned 71 caps, scoring one goal, with six assists. He was on the Austrian national team from 1973-82.

As a graduate engineer Herzog established his own business, a construction company, but also played with the old boys team and became an official for his home club, Zell am See. Herzog died in 2011 after a skiing accident in which he broke his neck. He was survived by his wife and three children. His sons, Albert and Stefan, continued the family tradition, with Stefan also playing ice hockey for Austria.