In the Webster family, hockey is very important, and so is being successful on the ice.
Current NCAA national titles score: Makenna 2, McKade 1.
McKade Webster, a senior captain for Denver, is aiming to match his sister's achievement at the Frozen Four in St. Paul, Minn. His sister Makenna, who recently assisted Ohio State in winning the women's title, is his inspiration.
The commitment to hockey is a family affair. McKade convinced Makenna to switch from figure skating to hockey. A memorable moment involved Makenna accidentally giving McKade a black eye with a high stick during a friendly game in their basement. Their parents supported their hockey endeavors by traveling to games and practices.
Approximately 30 family members and friends will be present at the Xcel Energy Center to support McKade during his final appearance. The Pioneers (30-9-3) are set to compete against Boston University (28-9-2) in the semifinals on Thursday, with the potential to advance to the championship game on Saturday.
“It would be amazing,” said their father, Dave Webster, about the prospect of McKade securing a second title at Denver (Makenna won her first at Wisconsin before transferring to Ohio State). “Witnessing your children and the whole team celebrate, knowing the effort they've put in, brings pure joy and deep emotional satisfaction.”
During their upbringing in St. Louis, McKade and Makenna had a popular home where other kids liked to gather. They had an outdoor court with various activities and a turf field for soccer and field hockey (Makenna’s other sport).
Their basement featured a synthetic hockey rink where they frequently played, with their dad regularly sharpening their skates (the synthetic surface quickly dulled them).
McKade became interested in hockey through his cousin, who played club hockey in college. Makenna, in turn, was influenced by McKade, trading figure skating for hockey.
“She was basically done with all the makeup and glamour, and wanted to join in with the boys,” joked McKade. “She switched to hockey and never looked back.”
As elite players—Makenna, nearly two years younger, played on boys teams but not together with McKade— their parents, Dave and Sunny, divided the travel responsibilities.
“They've been incredibly supportive and encouraged us every step of the way,” said McKade. “It's been wonderful to see them at every game.”
They make an effort to attend every game, including the weekend of the women’s NCAA championship.
Dave and Sunny attended Makenna’s semifinal win over Clarkson University in Durham, N.H., on March 22. The next day, they were in St. Paul to watch McKade and the Pioneers beat Omaha in the NCHC Frozen Faceoff championship game (McKade was named the tournament’s most outstanding player). Then they traveled back to New Hampshire to witness Makenna and the Buckeyes defeat Wisconsin, Makenna's former team, and lift the national trophy.
“We've spent a lot of time on the road with the kids,” Dave said. “It's an experience I wouldn't trade for anything.”
In ninth grade, McKade went to Shattuck-St. Mary’s, a school in Faribault, Minn., known for its hockey program (past attendees include Sidney Crosby ). Makenna also went there. The family bought a house in the area.
Both did well.
McKade played for the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League and caught the eye of Tampa Bay. The Lightning chose him in the seventh round of the 2019 draft.
Interesting story about that draft: He was actually asleep at a buddy’s house when his name was announced. He was woken up by his ringing phone.
McKade joined the Pioneers in 2020-21 and a season later, helped them to their ninth national title.
This season, he’s enjoying every moment. The recent graduate said he’s ready to put down his stick and move into the world of business.
But not just yet.
McKade and the Pioneers have a chance to become the first men’s college hockey program to win 10 national titles. Michigan, too, is in the running for that distinction. The Wolverines (23-14-3) face Boston College (33-5-1) in the other semifinal game.
Makenna will be in the stands. She will be wearing his No. 6 Denver jersey for good luck.
The hockey path for Makenna led her first to Wisconsin, where she helped the Badgers to a title in 2021 and was named the Frozen Four’s Most Outstanding Player. She transferred to Ohio State in the summer of 2022 so she could play field hockey as well. The Badgers beat Makenna and the Buckeyes 1-0 in the title game last season. This season, Makenna and Ohio State knocked off Wisconsin 1-0.
“When we won at the end, it was like everything we did, throughout the whole year, paid off,” Makenna said.
Now, it’s McKade’s chance to reach college hockey’s summit again. Asked what it would mean for McKade to match Makenna in their national-titles race, Dave just laughed.
“It would mean,” he said, “that Makenna would have to win a third next year to stay ahead.”
