Makenna Webster ready for return to the ice

TGIF because that means it’s another Hockey Friday! Melissa Burgess here from The Ice Garden here this week to catch you up on what’s happening in the world of women’s hockey.

This week, we talked to New York Sirens forward Makenna Webster. The 24-year-old was drafted 17th overall in 2025. She postponed the start of her pro ice hockey career, using the last year to focus on field hockey in hopes of landing a spot at the 2028 Olympics. Last month, Webster signed a three-year contract with the Sirens. We chatted with her about what life’s been like since the draft, balancing two sports and what comes next.

It’s been a little over a year since you were drafted by the Sirens. What has the last year looked like for you?

Makenna Webster: Last year, I entered the draft and I was going to play the season in the PWHL. But after some conversations with the field hockey coaches, they wanted me to go right away to Charlotte to centralize for the next few years before [the 2028 Summer Olympics.] It was great there — great atmosphere, great culture. It was awesome learning from the best coaches and from the girls as well. After a lot of conversations, I decided to head back to the PWHL.

Webster spent eight months training in Charlotte, centralizing after she finished her final field hockey season at Ohio State.

Why is now the right time for you to be joining the PWHL?

MW: I had some conversations. I didn’t make the World Cup team and was an alternate for the [Women’s FIH Hockey Nations Cup]. I didn’t want to miss out on three years of [the PWHL] if I was trying to go to LA 28. I decided this season, I want to play in the league and then see after the season if I would go back to field hockey.

I didn’t want to take three years off, because you never know, when coming back, how I would do. I thought this was going to be my best option … missing ice hockey, and ice hockey was always my first sport, so I was really excited to get back into it.

Webster reiterated that her plan right now is still to attempt to secure a spot on the 2028 Olympic field hockey team, with conversations to be had.

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What was your training regimen like in Charlotte? Have you been able to get on the ice much?

MW: Obviously, our training was very strict for field hockey. We were getting ready for some big tournaments coming up, so we were training maybe four to five hours a day. Definitely was in shape and working out as well, but I also helped coach a local ice hockey team in Charlotte, which allowed me to be on the ice a little bit, skate around, get my ice. I wasn’t on the ice too much, but now since I stepped away from field hockey, I was able to get back on the ice.

Field hockey & ice hockey are very different sports, but you’ve managed to excel at both. Do you see any similarities between the two?

MW: I feel like I get that question a lot. The only similarity is kind of the name. I think they’re very different. How they’re played — the mechanics, running vs. skating. Field hockey, you can only use one side of your stick; hockey, you can obviously use both. I think the main similarities that I have from both is culture and leadership and just being a good teammate at the end of the day and learning from two different culture sports.

Have you had a chance to watch the PWHL or keep tabs on the Sirens?

MW: I watched many games — honestly, most of the games. I was also able to go to two in-person Sirens games. I went to one against Toronto and then went to their MSG game, which was unbelievable … It was crazy. So cool to see, from an outsider, how excited everyone was. Them being able to sell out that arena was very special.

Casey O’Brien hasn’t officially re-signed yet, but assuming she does, how excited are you to get to play with her again?

MW: I’m super excited. I had so many conversations about playing with her again and I think we’re both excited. We kind of know how each other plays, how we are people, as teammates, as friends. I’m super excited and she’s obviously a great player, too. I always learn from her, so that as well.

Have you spoken to the other Ohio State alumni on the team?

I’ve had a lot of conversations with [Emma] Peschel, who I’m really excited about. Obviously, she’s new. She’s going to be a great fit and she’s ready to be in the league, and the other ones as well. I’ve seen them after the games when they’ve played at MSG and obviously in the Toronto game as well. They love it, and it’s so cool to have people I already know and already bond with, so it’s going to be a great transition.

What can Sirens fans expect from you on the ice this season?

MW: Obviously I’m on the smaller side. I would say small and quick and I just create chaos and just try to do the little roles … I like to play with a lot of variety to my game. I can be a grinder, I can play skills. I can do a lot of different things.

How excited are you to move to New York City?

MW: It’s so cool. My brother lives in New York as well … so my parents will come up a lot. I have lots of friends that live here as well. It’s so many people’s dream to live in New York, and I can’t believe that I’m going to be living there.

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Finding Doris: A (family) history of women’s hockey in Vancouver

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Women of Colour Hockey Collective broadens its reach by introducing the game to Jamaican children

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Soccer: Annie Peterson, @AnnieMPeterson, AP Women’s Soccer
Tennis: Joey Dillon, @JoeyDillon, Freelance Tennis Writer
Basketball: Howard Megdal, @HowardMegdal, The IX Sports
Softball: Maren Angus-Coombs, @Maren-Angus, The IX Sports
Golf: Marin Dremock, @MDremock, The IX Sports
Hockey: @TheIceGarden, The Ice Garden
Gymnastics: Jessica Taylor Price, @jesstaylorprice, Freelance Writer