Mae Batherson Bio
Anna Mae Batherson, known professionally as Mae Batherson, is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. Born on December 5, 2000, in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, she is recognized for her poise, vision, and playmaking ability from the blue line. After a distinguished college career in the United States, Batherson was selected by the Minnesota Frost in the 2024 PWHL Draft and quickly established herself as a reliable contributor at the professional level. She helped the Frost capture the Walter Cup during her rookie season and has continued to grow into one of the most dependable young defenders in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL).
Early Life and Background
Anna Mae Batherson was born on December 5, 2000, in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, while her father was playing professional hockey overseas. She was raised in New Minas, Nova Scotia, where she grew up in a deeply hockey-oriented household. Her father, Norm Batherson, played one season with the Ottawa Senators, mostly with their AHL affiliate, and her uncle, Dennis Vial, was an enforcer for the Senators in the 1990s. This family background immersed Batherson in the sport from a very young age and gave her a clear understanding of what a professional hockey career demands.
Growing up, Batherson played with her brother, Ottawa Senators winger Drake Batherson, on pond ice during the winter and on rollerblades during the summer. The siblings worked together to sharpen their skills and became known for their hockey smarts. Her early development was shaped by these backyard sessions and by the competitive environment that came with having a professional hockey family. The experience laid the foundation for her transition into organized hockey and eventually into junior competition.
Path to Professional Hockey
Batherson began her organized competitive hockey journey with the Kingston Junior Ice Wolves, where she developed the fundamentals of her defensive game. Her strong play at the junior level earned her an opportunity to play college ice hockey in the United States, where she chose to attend Syracuse University. As a rookie with the Orange, she earned College Hockey America (CHA) All-Rookie honors, signaling her arrival as a promising young defender. She continued to progress throughout her time at Syracuse, eventually graduating tied as the school’s fifth-highest scoring defenceman of all time with 61 points, made up of 15 goals and 46 assists.
During her senior year, Batherson tallied 21 points, including 16 assists, ranking second on the team and tenth in the CHA. She was also named a 2023 All-College Hockey America First Team selection. Seeking a final season of development, she transferred to St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York, for her graduate year. At St. Lawrence, she played in all 39 games, recording eight goals and 29 assists for 37 points, and set the program record for the most points by a defenceman in a single season. She was a finalist for the ECAC Defender of the Year award and earned First-Team All-ECAC recognition, cementing her status as a top professional prospect.
Mae Batherson Career
Early Career and College Development (2019–2024)
Batherson’s college career began at Syracuse, where she immediately stood out as a freshman by earning CHA All-Rookie honors. She steadily built her offensive game over multiple seasons, growing into one of the most productive defencemen in program history. By the time she graduated from Syracuse, she was tied as the fifth-highest scoring defenceman in school history. Her development culminated in a First-Team All-CHA selection in her senior year, highlighting her ability to impact the game on both ends of the ice.
For her final season of eligibility, Batherson transferred to St. Lawrence University, where she elevated her game to an even higher level. Playing in every game, she produced 37 points and set the record for the most points by a defenceman in a single season in program history. Her outstanding year was recognized with First-Team All-ECAC honors and a finalist nod for ECAC Defender of the Year. Together, her two college stops shaped her into a complete, pro-ready defenceman heading into the PWHL Draft.
PWHL Breakthrough with Minnesota Frost (2024–2026)
Batherson was drafted in the sixth round, 33rd overall, by the Minnesota Frost in the 2024 PWHL Draft. She earned a spot on the Frost’s 2024 opening-day roster and quickly adapted to the professional game. During the 2024–25 season, she recorded three assists in 25 games while playing a steady, defense-first role. Her contributions helped the Frost win their second consecutive Walter Cup, giving her a championship in her rookie professional season.
In the 2025–26 season, Batherson took a significant step forward offensively, recording three goals and 12 assists in 30 regular-season games. She added two more assists during the 2026 Walter Cup playoffs, reinforcing her value on both special teams and at even strength. On June 22, 2025, she signed a two-year contract extension with the Frost, signaling the organization’s confidence in her long-term role. Her growth from a depth defender to a top-four contributor highlighted her work ethic and hockey sense.
PWHL Las Vegas Era (2026–Present)
During the PWHL’s expansion to 12 teams ahead of the 2026–27 season, Batherson was left unprotected by the Minnesota Frost. On June 6, 2026, she signed a two-year contract with PWHL Las Vegas, becoming one of the first players signed by the expansion franchise, alongside Kendall Cooper. The move marked a new chapter in her professional career, giving her an opportunity to take on a featured role with a brand-new team.
Driving Style and Strengths
Batherson is recognized for her strong hockey IQ, calm puck distribution, and dependable positioning in her own zone. She excels at breaking out pucks under pressure and quarterbacking the power play with accurate, well-timed passes. Her poise and consistency have made her a trusted partner for goaltenders and forwards alike, and her competitive background has helped her handle the demands of professional play with maturity.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Batherson’s signature accomplishments are her Walter Cup championship with the Minnesota Frost in her rookie season, setting the St. Lawrence record for most points by a defenceman in a season, and earning First-Team All-ECAC honors. She has also been recognized with CHA All-Rookie and First-Team All-CHA selections, and was a finalist for ECAC Defender of the Year.
Mae Batherson Career Wins
Across her college and professional career, Anna Mae Batherson has built a résumé defined by consistency, championships, and individual recognition. Her Walter Cup win with the Minnesota Frost in 2025 stands as the centerpiece of her professional achievements. Combined with her All-American college honors and record-setting season at St. Lawrence, her trophy case reflects steady, well-earned success at every level she has played.
PWHL Highlights
In the PWHL, Batherson has been a steady contributor for the Minnesota Frost, helping the team capture the Walter Cup in her rookie 2024–25 season. The following year, she recorded three goals and 12 assists in 30 regular-season games before adding two playoff assists during the 2026 Walter Cup run. Her signing of a two-year extension with the Frost, and later a two-year deal with PWHL Las Vegas, underlines her growing stature in the league.
Other Wins and Performances
At the college level, Batherson was a CHA All-Rookie selection, a First-Team All-CHA honoree in 2023, and a First-Team All-ECAC pick during her final year at St. Lawrence. She was also a finalist for the ECAC Defender of the Year award and finished her Syracuse career tied as the fifth-highest scoring defenceman in program history.
Mae Batherson Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Batherson comes from one of hockey’s most recognizable families. Her father, Norm Batherson, played one season with the Ottawa Senators and spent much of his career with the organization’s AHL affiliate. Her brother, Drake Batherson, is a winger for the Ottawa Senators, and her uncle, Dennis Vial, was an enforcer for the Senators in the 1990s. The family’s deep ties to professional hockey have played a major role in shaping her career path.
Personal Life
Batherson was raised in New Minas, Nova Scotia, and continues to identify strongly with her Canadian roots despite being born in Germany. She trained alongside her brother Drake throughout her childhood, playing on pond ice in the winter and rollerblading in the summer. The two siblings became known for their shared hockey smarts, and that bond remains a key part of her personal story.
2025 Season Performance
Batherson’s 2025 calendar year was defined by her second professional season with the Minnesota Frost, where she elevated her offensive output to three goals and 12 assists across 30 regular-season games. Her steady two-way play helped the Frost remain among the PWHL’s top contenders heading into the 2026 Walter Cup playoffs. The year also featured her June 22, 2025, contract extension, securing her long-term future with the franchise at that time.
Her growth throughout the 2025–26 season marked a clear step forward after a more reserved rookie year. Batherson became a regular contributor on the blue line, earning the trust of her coaching staff in all situations. The combination of her offensive production and defensive reliability positioned her as a building block for the Frost’s continued success.
Although she was later left unprotected during the league’s expansion, her 2025 performance reinforced her value as a top-flight professional defenceman. Her play that year directly contributed to her status as one of the first players signed by PWHL Las Vegas, opening an exciting new chapter in her career as she headed into the 2026–27 season.