Look, let’s just get the obvious out of the way. If you’ve spent more than five minutes on sports Twitter or Instagram lately, you’ve seen the name Mikayla Demaiter. She’s basically the definition of a viral sensation. People call her the hottest female hockey goalie on the planet, and honestly, the numbers back up the hype. We aren’t just talking about a few thousand likes here; she has millions of people tracking her every move, even though she hasn't stepped into a professional crease in years.
It’s a weird phenomenon. Usually, when an athlete retires, they sort of fade into the background or become a commentator. But Demaiter? She did the opposite. She blew up.
The Rise and the "Retirement"
Mikayla wasn't just some model who put on pads for a photoshoot. That’s a common misconception. She was a legitimate netminder for the Bluewater Hawks in the Provincial Women's Hockey League (PWHL) Junior division. Back in the 2018-19 season, she was clocking serious minutes. We’re talking nearly 1,000 minutes on the ice, facing hundreds of shots, and maintaining a .909 save percentage. That’s not "playing for fun." That’s competitive hockey in one of the toughest development pipelines in Canada.
Then 2019 happened.
At just 19 years old, she dropped a bombshell on her followers. She posted a heartfelt goodbye to the sport, citing a devastating knee injury. She wrote about how hockey would no longer be her "number one focus." People were shocked. You don't usually see a starting goalie walk away at the peak of their youth, but the physical toll was just too much.
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Why the "Hottest Female Hockey Goalie" Tag Stuck
The internet has a long memory. Even as she transitioned into full-time modeling, the "hockey goalie" label stayed attached to her brand. It gave her an edge. In a sea of influencers, being the girl who can take a slap shot to the chest and keep a puck out of the net is a massive differentiator.
She's lean, she's athletic, and she clearly hasn't lost that competitive fire—she just redirected it into building a digital empire. By early 2026, her Instagram following has surged past 3.2 million. Every time she posts a "rare view" or a gala dress photo, the comment section goes absolutely nuclear.
Modern Stars Following the Blueprint
While Demaiter is the undisputed queen of the "viral goalie" niche, the actual pro world in 2026 is filled with women who are winning on the ice and on social media. You can't talk about the hottest female hockey goalie conversation without mentioning the current stars of the PWHL and NCAA who are actually stopping pucks right now.
- Ava McNaughton: The Wisconsin Badgers star is currently a finalist for the Goaltender of the Year. She’s leading the nation with 18 wins and a ridiculous 1.24 goals-against average. She’s also heading to the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
- Annelies Bergmann: The Cornell junior is another heavy hitter. She’s got that "Detroit tough" vibe and a save percentage that makes scouts drool.
- Abbey Levy: Standing at 6'1", she's one of the most imposing figures in the PWHL. She’s tall, athletic, and has a massive following because she’s basically a wall in the net.
These athletes are proving that you can be a powerhouse in the crease while also being a massive brand. They're doing photoshoots, signing NIL deals, and showing that the "hottest" tag is as much about skill and presence as it is about aesthetics.
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The Reality of the "Influencer" Pivot
Is it lucrative? You bet.
Honestly, the pay gap in women's sports is still a thing. Even with the PWHL's massive success over the last couple of years, a top-tier influencer with 3 million followers often out-earns a mid-level pro athlete. Demaiter’s move wasn't just about her knee; it was a business decision. She’s dated NHL players like Kurtis Gabriel and moved in circles that most junior hockey players only dream of.
She basically created a new career path: the "Athleisure-to-High-Fashion" pipeline.
What You Should Actually Know
If you're searching for the hottest female hockey goalie, you're likely going to find a mix of two worlds. You'll find the retired-but-viral Mikayla Demaiter, and then you'll find the "ice-cold" killers like Ann-Renée Desbiens or Aerin Frankel who are currently dominating the professional ranks.
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The trend isn't slowing down. As women's hockey grows, the players are becoming genuine celebrities. They aren't just names on a roster; they're personalities.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Follow the PWHL Stats: If you want to see who is actually the "hottest" in terms of performance, check the 2025-26 goalie leaders. Names like Nicole Hensley and Gwyneth Philips are currently setting the bar.
- Watch the 2026 Olympics: With the Milan-Cortina games around the corner, goalies like Ava McNaughton are about to become household names globally.
- Check the Vibe: Follow athletes on TikTok to see the "behind the mask" content. The culture of women's hockey is way more accessible than the men's game right now, which is why the engagement is so high.
The "goalie" aesthetic is iconic. The mask, the pads, the intensity—it’s a look that resonates whether you’re in a crease in Ontario or on a red carpet in Los Angeles.