A wave of emotions swept over Makenna Webster, hitting her like a tsunami.
Her lifelong aspiration, something she once thought was out of reach, has actually become a reality, all tied to the limited options for women’s professional ice hockey in the United States.
In her Columbus, Ohio apartment, surrounded by family and friends—including her teammates from field and ice hockey at Ohio State University—she received a life-changing phone call.
The Sirens picked Webster in the third round (17th overall) of the 2025 PWHL Draft.
Immediately after, she faced a decision that she described as one of the toughest she has ever encountered.
“Ice hockey was my dream as a kid. It was my passion,” Webster shared. “Then I had more chances to join a field hockey team later in life. I love representing my country, and playing on the national team is something I aim for. Going to the Olympics is also a goal of mine.”
David Passmore, the U.S. women’s field hockey coach, expressed faith in her abilities and urged her to join the program as soon as possible. This meant she’d have to delay her PWHL career to chase other significant ambitions.
Webster has managed to balance both sports throughout her journey, but now she had to select one to commit to fully. It was either pursuing field hockey with a potential shot at representing her country in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics or teaming up with her best friend, Casey O’Brien, on the Sirens.
Ultimately, she chose field hockey.
However, this summer, she made the decision to return to the ice.
This week, she confirmed that she has signed a three-year contract with the Sirens. She will join a talented group that includes Sarah Fillier, Kristina Kartuunkova, and Casey O’Brien, as New York aims for its first postseason appearance.
Pascal Daoust, the general manager, understood that Webster’s pursuit of a spot on the U.S. field hockey team for the 2028 Olympics might take time away from the Sirens. Still, he and the organization were eager to collaborate with her.
“I’m not going to surprise anyone when I rave about her speed and competitiveness,” Daoust said regarding Webster’s skating skills. “She’s a player who believes she can win through deception but always bounces back. Her work ethic with the puck is impressive, and she trains hard. She’s a consistent presence on the ice.”
Webster is unique, like a rare gem.
While many athletes specialize in a single sport early on, she didn’t confine herself. Ice hockey, field hockey, soccer, track, basketball—she dabbled in them all.
“I still couldn’t decide which sport to stick with as I got older,” she admitted.
Notably, she has shined in both ice and field hockey.
Her collegiate ice hockey career started at the University of Wisconsin, but after a year, she transferred to Ohio State University, becoming a two-sport athlete. She is a two-time NCAA ice hockey champion (once with Wisconsin, then with Ohio State) and a three-time All-American in field hockey, representing the U.S. in both sports as a teenager.
People often mistakenly think field hockey is just ice hockey played on grass. However, Webster insists that the sports are entirely different. Stickhandling and dribbling vary significantly, even if hand-eye coordination and quick reflexes are beneficial in both.
At Ohio State, she worked with a trainer who devised a hybrid workout plan to accommodate her dual sport training. This allowed her to refine her time management and focus on her commitments.
She credits her teammates for their support: “Honestly, my teammates really pushed me forward and helped me whenever I needed it. Their encouragement made it possible for me to juggle both sports and succeed.”
Last year, while training in Charlotte, North Carolina with USA Field Hockey, she also coached a local youth hockey team, which kept her on the ice.
Her focus on hockey has intensified recently as she gears up to play for the Sirens next season.
“There I was in Australia, having a chat, and stepping back to think…realizing there are only two years until the Olympics. I figured it might be worth playing a season and then heading back to Australia. Even if I don’t make the national team or join the Olympic roster, I’ll be glad I got to play a season of hockey; returning afterward is easier,” she reflected.
Though Webster isn’t part of the country’s FIH World Cup roster next month, she remains a strong contender for the Olympics and has caught Passmore’s eye.
Meanwhile, Daoust is delighted to have her on the team, confident she’ll be a perfect addition to the Sirens.
“I really believe in the value of multi-sport athletes,” he said. “When you get to work with these talented individuals, they not only bring consistency but also an inherent drive to excel. That’s what we want to cultivate in our organization.”
