Sibling support only a phone call away for Drake and Mae Batherson

(All photos courtesy of Batherson family)

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Drake and Mae Batherson know sibling support is only a phone call away.

Their hockey home bases, Ottawa and Minneapolis, are separated by roughly 1,400 kilometres, but the connection between Drake, a forward for the Ottawa Senators and Mae, a defenceman with the PWHL’s Minnesota Frost, remains as close as ever.

Drake, in his seventh NHL campaign, all with the team who selected him 121st overall at the 2017 NHL Draft, is grateful for the regular conversations the two have throughout their respective hockey seasons.

“We talk all the time,” said the 26-year-old. “She tries to watch most of my games, and I have been able to watch pretty much all of hers this year. We enjoy the chance to watch each other play.”

“We both know each other’s games really well and our habits,” said Mae, who is skating in her first PWHL season. “First and foremost, it is just supporting one another. We know what we are capable of and remind each other of that. It can be encouraging words and a reminder to not overthink things. And sometimes, we talk about things other than hockey, which is helpful for both of us.”

It has been that way for as long as both can remember. An unabashed love of the game is in their DNA.

(Norm, Mae and Drake Batherson)

Their father, Norm Batherson, played in the North American minor ranks and European leagues. He was also part of the 1993 champion Acadia Axemen Canadian University men's ice hockey team.

In 1998, Norm played in the top German league and played in the country’s second-tier league for seven seasons before he retired in 2006.

Drake and Mae’s uncle, Dennis Vial, played 242 NHL regular-season games, 176 of them with the Ottawa Senators.

“My dad played pro for 13 years, so my sister and I travelled around during his career,” said Drake, who was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, but raised in Nova Scotia. “I lived in Germany until I was eight. We are lucky to have such strong ties to the game and people we can lean on for advice.”

While their careers are at different stages and they play different positions, the siblings share plenty in common when it comes to hockey.

Each has a deep understanding of the other’s playing style and strengths.

“We are hard on ourselves, our own worst critics, really,” said Mae, 24. “In any of those times, I will lean on him. I might get him to watch my games and see what he thinks of my play. He is honest and will give me helpful advice.”

“We are both pretty hard on ourselves,” echoed Drake. “But we lift each other up.”

Which is what they did on the other’s draft day.

In an atmosphere where tensions are high and uncertainty abounds, Drake and Mae navigated those anxious moments with the support of family and one another.

“The whole thing was so cool to be at,” said Mae. “You grew up watching the NHL draft, and Drake was always an underdog, so seeing his hard work pay off and lead him to that moment was amazing. We were proud of him whether he got his name called or not. I had the belief he would. I think I sat beside him the whole draft and I was one of the first people to hug him.”

“We went to Minnesota for the PWHL draft – she was at mine in Chicago – so it was awesome to be on the other side of things,” recalled Drake. “I think I was more nervous at her draft. I was so pumped she got picked. She made Minnesota out of camp. It was super cool. They have a great team and great players, so I am so proud of her making the team at the age she is.”

The PWHL Draft experience was a perfect fit for Mae – even before she heard her name called overall by the 2024 Walter Cup champions.

“It was nice to have Drake and my whole family there,” said Mae. “Drake knew the city better than any of us because he had been here before. He showed us around and took us to the Mall of America – that was the biggest mall I had ever seen. He bought me a pair of shoes and was taking me through the whole draft, what to expect.

“Once I got my name called, everything was such a whirlwind. Some of my new teammates were there and I got to meet them and the coaches. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting Minnesota was going to select me. I didn’t know much about the state, only that they love their hockey.”

Just like the Batherson siblings.

Both are excelling this season, each counted on to deliver in key moments.

(Deeann, Norm, Drake and Mae Batherson)

“Travis [head coach, Green] has been playing me in all kinds of situations – if we are up by a goal and we have to shut the other team, things like that – and in years past, I probably wouldn’t be on the ice in those moments,” said Drake. “I am just trying to prove that I can be out there and be trusted to play in every situation.”

“No matter the game, whether you are up by a goal or down by a goal, you know they trust you to be out there. It gives you confidence when you are counted on to be out there in those moments.”

Mae, who played defence for the Kingston Jr. Ice Wolves of the Provincial Women's Hockey League and played U.S. collegiate hockey with Syracuse University and St. Lawrence University, has been given similar responsibilities with the Frost.

“The coaches have given me chances in a lot of situations, which has been amazing.”

She has enjoyed seeing her brother thrive in his expanded role with the Senators.

“He played centre his whole life and has always been good defensively. In junior and pro, he played more of a wing role, and not as much in defensive situations. Now, he’s out at the end of the game and being in more of those moments. I have seen him do that before and now it’s nice to see getting those opportunities.”

On pace to record his best offensive NHL season to date, Drake is part of a Senators squad looking to net a playoff spot for the first time since 2016-17.

Currently, Ottawa’s 69 points hold the second wild card spot in the east. The game plan to be in that position started before the 2024-25 regular season got underway.

“This year, Brady [Tkachuck] and the leadership group talked, and we all came in on September 1 – I think training camp started around the 13th or 14th,” noted Drake, who netted his first NHL hat trick on Oct. 27, 2021. “We wanted to come to Ottawa, skate as a group, get to know one another and have some time to do some team bonding. That was great. The new coaching group has played a big part in that. The first week of training camp, they spoke about the importance about the defensive side of the game.

“I remember saying to the boys, ‘When are we going to do an offensive drill?’ But it has helped us out so much and it shows in the standings.”

Righting the ship after a tough stretch has also been a difference maker for this year’s club.

“Maybe in years past, we wouldn’t have been able to handle it as well. We have had some injuries this year – [Linus] Ullmark went down and Leevi [Merilainen] came in and played awesome – but we have found a way to keep rolling. If you had told us in training camp that we would be in the position we are now, I think we all would have taken it.”

Mae, part of a Frost team that sits tied for third with the Boston Fleet in the PWHL standings, is also grateful to be part of a tight-knit group.  

“There are lot of Americans on the team and being one of the only Canadians, I didn’t know anyone. But they have made me feel so welcome. I have nothing but good things to say about my teammates and the organization.”

(Mae and Drake Batherson)

As the playoff drive intensifies in both their leagues, calls between Drake and Mae are likely to become more frequent.

Whether the topic is hockey or not, the siblings will, as always, have plenty to talk about.   

“I lean on him a lot, probably, the most I ever have this year,” said Mae. “He’s gone through it before – just how mentally tough the pro game is. There is so much that is different than anything you have ever known, so it is nice to know that he understands that.”

The feeling is mutual for Ottawa’s No. 19.

“I always look forward to talking with Mae. We are always there for another, good moments or tough ones. It’s nice to have that.”