Who Is Mikayla Demaiter?
Mikayla Demaiter is a Canadian model, former ice hockey goaltender, and social media personality who first became known as a goalkeeper for the Bluewater Hawks in the Provincial Women’s Hockey League.[4][5] Born on May 14, 2000, and educated at Western University, she originally pursued a sports-focused path before gaining wider attention through Instagram.[2][3][4]
After sharing modeling photography on Instagram from her late teens, Demaiter’s striking images and athletic background helped her stand out in a crowded creator landscape.[1][4][5] Over time she shifted from being recognized as a junior hockey player to being widely described as one of Instagram’s most-followed young Canadian models, with millions of followers and a strong presence across multiple platforms.[1][3][5]
From Ice Hockey Goalie to Modeling Star
Demaiter’s transition from sports to modeling began when knee problems and rumours of surgery contributed to an early end to her competitive hockey career around 2019.[2][4] She announced her retirement from the sport in an emotional Instagram post, surprising fans who expected a longer playing career but also hinting that a new chapter was beginning.[3][4]
Soon after leaving hockey, she focused on professional modeling, posting increasingly polished photoshoots and partnering with agencies such as Verge Agency.[2][4] Her content, which often features fashion, swimwear, and lingerie looks, went viral multiple times, accelerating her follower growth into the multi-million range and turning her social feeds into a primary driver of income through brand deals and sponsorships.[1][2][3]
Social Media Influence and Today’s Impact
Today, Mikayla Demaiter’s main impact is as a digital-era influencer whose personal brand blends athletic roots with highly stylized visual content.[2][3][5] She regularly collaborates with fashion and lifestyle labels, uses Instagram as her primary showcase, and appears in online features and video biographies that frame her as an example of how athletes can reinvent themselves as creators.[2][3][4]
Her reach—over 3 million followers on Instagram alone by the mid‑2020s—makes her an attractive partner for companies targeting young, image-conscious audiences.[1][2][5] More broadly, Demaiter’s rise illustrates how individual creators can convert niche sports visibility into global recognition, reinforcing the growing power of personal brands and social platforms in shaping modern modeling and entertainment careers.[2][3][5]