Erika Wachter has been a force on MSG Network’s New Jersey Devils coverage for the last three NHL seasons.

Sports broadcasting is something that the Atlantic County native says that she was always passionate about.

“I used to say I wanted to be the next Katie Couric when I was little. I knew I wanted to be on TV,” Wachter says. “I would go around the house interviewing everyone, making commercials.”

Growing up in Egg Harbor Township, Wachter was a multisport athlete. But she says that field hockey was her specialty. She went on to play at Syracuse University while earning a broadcast journalism degree from the prestigious SI Newhouse School of Public Communications.

Wachter says that she credits her athletic background with giving her the tools she needed to achieve her dreams.

“Being a hard worker, being confident, you get an opportunity to just work with other people and I think that teamwork aspect helps you with anything you want to do in life,” she says.

Wachter started her on-air career in Connecticut before making her way back to New Jersey in 2018 to host the Devils telecasts.

“That’s something that I really cherish is being able to be part of the storylines every day and follow the team so closely,” she says.

And while Wachter’s career is thriving, she says that the best part is knowing that she has a platform to inspire the next generation of sports broadcasters.

“Having a young boy or girl sit at the desk and give them a microphone and let them know this can be you and give a word of wisdom and I really hope it leaves a lasting impression on them that’s something they remember so fondly. They can look back on that picture and feel inspired to go after their dreams,” Wachter says.

Wachter hosts the Devils games on MSG Networks.