If you’ve spent any time on Instagram or TikTok lately, you’ve likely seen her. She’s often labeled the "world's sexiest hockey player," a title that carries a lot of weight and even more scrutiny. Mikayla Demaiter didn't just appear out of thin air, though. Before the viral photos and the millions of followers, she was a kid from Chatham, Ontario, standing in a crease, staring down 60-mile-per-hour slap shots.
People love a pivot. We’re fascinated by athletes who trade their jerseys for something entirely different. But for Mikayla, it wasn't some calculated marketing move to ditch the pads. Honestly, it was a choice forced by a body that wouldn't cooperate.
The Reality of the Bluewater Hawks Days
Let’s get the stats out of the way because they actually matter. This wasn't some "influencer" who put on skates for a photo op. Mikayla was a legit goaltender for the Bluewater Hawks in the Provincial Women's Hockey League (PWHL) back in the 2018-2019 season.
She played 20 games. She logged nearly 954 minutes on the ice. During that stretch, she faced 471 shots and turned away 428 of them. That gave her a .909 save percentage. In the world of competitive hockey, that's not just "okay"—it's a respectable performance that shows she had the technical skill to stay in the game. You don't get those numbers by accident. Goaltending is a brutal, thankless job that requires a weird mix of flexibility and a complete lack of fear.
The Injury That Changed Everything
So, what happened? Why stop at 19?
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It comes down to a knee injury. It’s the classic athlete’s curse. Most people think she just realized she could make more money modeling, and while that's basically true now, the exit was painful. A knee injury that required surgery is a death sentence for a goalie's career. Your entire game depends on the "butterfly" position—dropping to your knees and kicking your legs out. If the joint is shot, the career is over.
By April 2019, the writing was on the wall. She posted a "Dear Hockey" letter on Instagram that felt pretty final. She thanked the sport for the places it took her, but she was done.
Transitioning From the Ice to the Lens
The jump from the locker room to a professional set is jarring. Most players retire and become coaches or analysts. Mikayla went a different route. She signed with Verge Agency and leaned hard into the "athlete turned model" niche. It worked.
Currently, she has over 3 million followers on Instagram.
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Her content is high-gloss, very polished, and worlds away from the sweaty, grimy atmosphere of an Ontario ice rink. But she still leans into her roots. You'll often see her posting photos in her old gear or using hockey puns in her captions. It’s a smart brand move. It keeps her unique in a sea of influencers who all look the same.
Does She Actually Still Play?
This is a question that pops up a lot in the comments. People want to know if she still skates.
The short answer is: not competitively.
You might see her in a promotional video or a "back on the ice" photoshoot, but the days of 50-save nights in the PWHL are behind her. The knee issues are likely still a factor, and frankly, the risk-reward ratio has shifted. When you're earning a reported $1.5 million net worth through modeling and brand deals, you don't really want to risk another surgery for a beer league game.
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The Cultural Impact of the "Sexiest Athlete" Label
There’s a bit of a debate around the way Mikayla is marketed. Some hockey purists find the "sexiest player" tag reductive. They argue it takes away from the skill she actually had on the ice. On the flip side, supporters argue she’s just capitalizing on her assets.
The truth is somewhere in the middle.
- She was a high-level junior player.
- She suffered a legitimate career-ending injury.
- She pivoted to a new industry and became one of its top earners.
That’s a success story by most definitions. She didn't "fail" at hockey; she just finished that chapter earlier than expected.
What You Can Learn From Her Career Shift
Mikayla Demaiter’s story isn't just about sports or modeling. It’s about the "Pivot." If you're looking at her career and wondering how to apply that energy to your own life, here’s the takeaway.
Don't be afraid to leave a burning building. When her knee gave out, she didn't spend five years trying to "make a comeback" in a league that doesn't pay much anyway. She looked at her other strengths and went all-in.
If you want to follow her journey or see how she maintains that athlete-to-model brand, your best bet is to check her verified Instagram. Just keep in mind that the "overnight success" people see now was built on years of waking up at 5:00 AM for practice in freezing cold rinks.
Take Actionable Steps:
- Assess your "career-ending" moments: If a project or job isn't working, stop trying to revive it and look for your "modeling" equivalent—the skill you have that the market actually wants.
- Leverage your history: Mikayla didn't hide the fact that she was a hockey player; she made it her entire personality. Use your past experiences to stand out in your current field.
- Be okay with the pivot: Moving on isn't quitting. It’s just turning the page.