Hockey influencers share their passion and love for hockey through social media to connect with those interested in being a hockey player. They showcase their skills, insights, and personal experiences, inspiring players and engaging with the broader hockey community.
But who are these famous hockey influencers, and how can you find them? In this article, we will explore the world of hockey influencers and their impact online.
Top 10 Hockey Influencers
From professional players to dedicated enthusiasts, hockey influencers have a crucial role in shaping the community and inspiring fans worldwide.
1. Amanda Pelkey
Ready to meet the first hockey influencers on our list? Amanda Pelkey is an American professional ice hockey player, influencer, and champion. She is a forward player playing for PWHL Boston in the Professional Women’s Hockey League. Previously, she played in the Premier Hockey Federation with the Metropolitan Riveters and won the Isobel Cup with the Boston Pride in 2016.
This Instagram sports influencer has also been involved with the Calgary section of the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA) and played college ice hockey for the Vermont Catamounts in the NCAA Division I Hockey East conference.
Amanda married Venla Hovi, an Olympic ice hockey medalist, coach, and former forward player, in August 2023. She seems to be uncomfortable with social media, having an Instagram account with only eight thousand followers.
2. Connor McDavid
Let’s check out a Canadian professional ice hockey player with a significantly satisfying hockey background. Connor McDavid, born January 13, 1997, is a Canadian professional ice hockey center, hockey influencer, and the captain of the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL. He was the first overall pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.
Connor McDavid spent his childhood playing ice hockey, coached by his father. He won championships with the York Simcoe Express before joining the Toronto Marlboros. He was named GTHL Player of the Year and granted exceptional player status in 2012, allowing him to start junior ice hockey at age 15.
This hockey influencer was chosen first by the Erie Otters in the OHL draft. He excelled and earned numerous awards. He also secured gold medals with Team Canada at the IIHF World U18 Championships and the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.
McDavid and his fiancée Lauren Kyle met on a blind date in 2016, set up by Kyle’s cousin, McDavid’s teammate. They live in Edmonton with their dog, Lenard, and are set to marry in July 2024 after getting engaged in June 2023. He is one of the hottest Instagram influencers, with 1.1 million followers. You can stay informed with the latest updates about him and his games.
3. Pierre Engvall
The third hockey influencer is from Sweden. Pierre Engvall, born on May 31, 1996, is a Swedish professional ice hockey forward player, influencer, and coach with the New York Islanders in the NHL. He was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the seventh round (188th overall) of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
Pierre Engvall began his professional hockey career in Sweden, playing in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) with Mora IK and later HV71. After a successful time in Sweden, he joined the Toronto Marlies, the AHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs, in North America. This hockey influencer signed with the Maple Leafs in 2018 and made his NHL debut later that year. He scored his first NHL goal during his rookie season and signed a contract extension with the Maple Leafs.
This hockey influencer became a millionaire after signing a 7-year, $21 million contract with the Islanders on July 1, 2023, and became one of the highest-paid Instagram influencers. However, he could be more active on social media; his Instagram account has only eight thousand followers.
4. Luke Witkowski
Looking for a professional American ice hockey player? Luke Witkowski, born April 14, 1990, is an American professional ice hockey player with Tappara in the Liiga. He is one of the top hockey influencers who has previously played in the NHL for the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Detroit Red Wings. The Lightning drafted Witkowski 160th overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
His professional gaming career started when Luke was recalled by the Tampa Bay Lightning from the Syracuse Crunch on October 19, 2014, after playing four games with the Crunch. He made his NHL debut on January 20, 2015, against the Vancouver Canucks, playing over 14 minutes of ice time. Throughout the 2014-15 NHL season, Witkowski played 16 games with the Lightning, bringing a physical style of play to the team.
This hockey influencer re-signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning on July 17, 2015, and played 16 games during the season, earning 15 penalty minutes, 37 hits, and 20 blocked shots. He made his NHL playoff debut on May 6, 2016, against the New York Islanders. Witkowski was named captain of the Syracuse Crunch on October 20, 2016, and during the 2016-17 season, he played a career-high 34 NHL games with the Lightning, registering four assists, 81 hits, and 21 blocked shots.
Luke is a professional hockey player interested in becoming a professional fishing influencer. For the latest news about this hockey influencer, follow his Instagram account, which has 23K followers.
5. Megan Keller
Megan Keller, born on May 1, 1996, is an American professional ice hockey player for PWHL Boston in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). She is not only a hockey player but also a two-time Olympic medalist and a five-time world champion. Additionally, this hockey influencer is a member of the United States women’s national ice hockey team.
Megan Keller excelled in international competitions, leading all skaters with a +9 plus/minus rating at the 2014 IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championships. Her standout performance continued at the 2015 IIHF World Championships in Malmö, Sweden, where she contributed 5 points in 4 games and won a gold medal with Team USA. Keller was named to Team USA’s roster for the 2022 Winter Olympics.
This female hockey influencer excelled as a standout defenseman for the Boston College women’s hockey team in the 2015–16 season. She was a top-10 finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award, was named to the WHEA First-Team All-Stars, and earned a spot on the NCAA All-Tournament Team. Keller led all defensive players in national points, set team and conference scoring records for defense, and contributed to a dominant defensive unit with 14 shutout games.
To learn more about this talented hockey player, who also has potential as an Instagram model, follow her on Instagram, where she has 22K followers.
6. Mitch Marner
Want to meet one of the youngest hockey influencers in Canada? Mitchell Marner, born May 5, 1997, is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger and alternate captain for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the NHL. He was drafted fourth overall by the Maple Leafs in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.
This Canadian Instagram influencer began his hockey development at 3 Zones Hockey School and attended The Hill Academy before playing in the GTHL with the Vaughan Kings and Don Mills Flyers. Despite receiving a scholarship offer from the University of Michigan, he was drafted by the London Knights in the OHL.
He had standout seasons with the Knights, earning OHL First All-Star honors and being drafted fourth overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. Marner signed an entry-level contract with the Maple Leafs in July 2015 and had an exceptional year with the Knights in 2015-16. He won multiple awards, including the Red Tilson Trophy, and led his team to win the Memorial Cup.
This hockey influencer co-owns an esports company and married Stephanie LaChance in 2023. In 2022, Marner experienced a carjacking incident but was unharmed. He has an Instagram account with more than 600K followers.
7. Jack Hughes
Allow us to introduce you to the youngest hockey influencer on our list. Jack Hughes, born on May 14, 2001, is an American professional ice hockey center and alternate captain for the New Jersey Devils of the NHL. After playing with the U.S. National Development Team, he was drafted first overall by the Devils in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
Jack Hughes was born in Orlando, Florida, but grew up in Toronto, Ontario. He played multiple sports in his youth, including ice hockey and baseball. Hughes is Jewish and has come from a family of ice hockey athletes.
This 22-year-old Jewish influencer played with the Toronto Marlboros after being denied exceptional status by the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL), where he scored 159 points in his final year. He was drafted eighth overall by the Mississauga Steelheads in the Ontario Hockey League but honored his commitment to the U.S. National Team Development Program (USNTDP). During the 2017–18 season, Hughes earned the Dave Tyler Junior Player of the Year Award and later broke the NTDP all-time points record previously held by Clayton Keller.
This Hockey influencer has an Instagram account with more than 600K followers. One of the most famous makeup influencers, Meridith Duxbury, has followed him.
8. Veli-Matti Savinainen
Let’s check out a hockey influencer from Finland. Veli-Matti Savinainen (born 5 January 1986) is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward who currently plays for Tappara of the Liiga.
Savinainen has a full background of playing hickey and has played for various teams in the Liiga, KHL, and SHL, including Ässät, Tappara, HC Ugra, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, and Leksands IF. After stints with HC Yugra and Kunlun Red Star, he returned to Finland to join Jokerit in the KHL, signing a two-year contract in May 2019.
Savinainen was selected to represent the Finland men’s national ice hockey team at the 2014 IIHF World Championship. He has an account on Instagram with 21K followers.
9. David Pastrnak
Have you ever heard anything about the best hockey player in Czech? David Pastrňák, nicknamed ‘Pasta,’ is a Czech professional ice hockey right winger and alternate captain for the Boston Bruins in the NHL. The Bruins drafted him in the first round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Pastrňák has represented the Czech national team at various World Championships at the junior and senior levels.
This hockey influencer was motivated to pursue ice hockey seriously after the death of his father, Milan, in 2013 following a battle with cancer. Milan’s passing inspired Pastrňák to dedicate himself to hockey, aiming to succeed in the sport in honor of his father.
David Pastrňák has represented the Czech Republic at various levels, leading his team in scoring multiple times. He won bronze at the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and silver at the 2014 IIHF World U18 Championships. Pastrňák debuted with the Czech Republic senior national team at the 2016 IIHF World Championship and participated in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
This hockey influencer and his girlfriend welcomed a son on June 17, 2021, who sadly passed away six days later on June 23. On June 9, 2023, they announced the birth of their daughter. David has an Instagram account with 601K followers, where you can be informed of the latest news.
10. Kayla Friesen
It’s time to meet the final female hockey influencer on our list. Kayla Friesen is a Canadian-American ice hockey forward who recently played in the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) with the Boston Pride during the 2021–22 season. She was drafted second overall by the Connecticut Whale in the 2020 NWHL Draft and is currently an unrestricted free agent.
This Hockey influencer attended St. Mary’s Academy in Winnipeg, Manitoba, for high school, where she played ice hockey and scored 78 points in 45 games during her senior season. She then played collegiate ice hockey for St. Cloud State Huskies and Clarkson University, totaling 80 points across 131 NCAA games.
Kayla Friesen, born in Monroe, Louisiana, holds dual Canadian-US citizenship. She was born to a family filled with athletes. Her father, Rob Friesen, played professional ice hockey in various minor leagues and overseas. She has an older sister who played collegiate softball and a younger brother who plays ice hockey in the USPHL’s National Collegiate Development Conference.
She isn’t active on social media. She has an account on Instagram with only six thousand followers.
Conclusion
Hockey influencers play a crucial role in promoting hockey and connecting with hockey enthusiasts through social media. They inspire and entertain while sharing their love and experiences for hockey, contributing to the vibrant online and offline hockey community.
FAQs
Currently, Alexander Ovechkin has over 2 million followers, a significant achievement considering hockey’s niche status compared to other sports. Originally from Russia, Ovechkin holds multiple impressive records, such as most power-play goals, overtime goals, and goals in away games.
Major Dhyan Chand is widely regarded as one of history’s greatest and most inspirational hockey players.
