Meghan Chayka: Hockey Data Pioneer and Stathletes Co-Founder

John Chayka made headlines as the youngest NHL general manager, but his sister Meghan has quietly built a data empire serving more than 22 leagues worldwide. This article unpacks her career, her relationship with her brother, and where she fits into the NHL analytics landscape today.

Years active: 2010–present · Co-founded company: Stathletes · Instagram followers: 251,000+ · Leagues covered by Stathletes: 22+ · Sister of NHL executive: John Chayka

Eight key facts about Meghan Chayka outline her professional footprint.

Who is Meghan Chayka?

Meghan Chayka is a Canadian entrepreneur and data scientist who co-founded Stathletes, a company that tracks and analyzes hockey data for more than 22 leagues globally (MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference). She started her career in hockey analytics in 2010, the same year Stathletes was founded by her, John Chayka, and Neil Lane (Canadian Business).

Biography and early career

• Began her analytics career in 2010 after studying economics and data science (Wikipedia)
• Co-founded Stathletes Inc. with her brother John and Neil Lane (Canadian Business)
• First NHL team to adopt Stathletes: Vancouver Canucks in 2012 (MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference)

Education at McMaster University

According to her Wikipedia profile and LinkedIn, Chayka attended McMaster University (Wikipedia). The exact degree program is not publicly listed.

The implication: Meghan Chayka’s career was built on a foundation of data science, not the NHL executive path her brother took.

What is Meghan Chayka famous for?

Stathletes and hockey analytics

• Stathletes provides data and video analysis for more than 22 leagues worldwide (MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference)
• Clients include teams, leagues, players, agents, and broadcasters across North America and Europe (DMEXCO)
• Stathletes partnered with the National Women’s Hockey League for the 2020–21 season (Wikipedia)
• Data used by CBC for women’s ice hockey broadcasts at the 2018 and 2022 Winter Olympics (MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference)

MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference appearances

Meghan Chayka is a regular speaker at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference (MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference). She also serves as a Data Scientist in Residence at the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, and hosts a weekly FanDuel segment on TSN called Strength in Numbers (MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference).

The implication: Meghan Chayka’s public role extends beyond data into media and academia.

Is Meghan Chayka related to John Chayka?

Sibling relationship

Yes, Meghan Chayka is the sister of John Chayka (Wikipedia). John Chayka is a former NHL executive who served as general manager of the Arizona Coyotes and is currently General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs (MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference; Sportsnet).

John Chayka’s NHL suspension and its impact

John Chayka was suspended by the NHL for a “really complicated” situation, as reported by Sportsnet (Sportsnet). Meghan Chayka has not publicly commented on her brother’s suspension, and no official statement links Stathletes to the controversy.

The pattern: While John’s career has been marked by front-office controversy, Meghan has stayed firmly behind her data, avoiding the spotlight.

What is Meghan Chayka’s nationality?

Canadian roots

Meghan Chayka is Canadian (Wikipedia). Her LinkedIn profile indicates she is based in the Greater Toronto Area. Her social media bios mention Toronto sports teams with hashtags like #WeTheNorth and #BillsMafia (Instagram).

Connection to Toronto and Buffalo

Her affinity for both Toronto and Buffalo teams has led to speculation about her possible ties to the Buffalo Sabres organization, though no formal relationship has been disclosed.

What this means: Her regional ties may fuel speculation, but her professional home remains Stathletes.

Does Meghan Chayka work for the Sabres?

There is no official confirmation that Meghan Chayka works for the Buffalo Sabres. Her primary role remains co-founder and CEO of Stathletes (MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference). She has not disclosed any formal ties to an NHL team, and her public appearances and LinkedIn profile list only Stathletes and her academic roles.

The trade-off: Without public disclosure, fans and media will continue to wonder, but the evidence points only to her independent company.

Timeline signal

• 2010 – Began career in hockey analytics and co-founded Stathletes (Canadian Business)
• 2012 – Vancouver Canucks became first NHL team to use Stathletes data (Wikipedia)
• 2018 – Stathletes data used by CBC for Olympic women’s hockey broadcasts (MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference)
• 2020–21 – Stathletes partnered with NWHL (MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference)
• Present – Active speaker at MIT Sloan, Data Scientist in Residence at Rotman, FanDuel contributor on TSN (MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference)

Sports. Data. Economics.

Meghan Chayka’s Instagram bio

We realized there was a gap in the sports analytics market.

Meghan Chayka, in DMEXCO

The youngest general manager in NHL history.

MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference on John Chayka

For the hockey analytics industry, the Chayka siblings represent two sides of the same coin: John the front-office revolutionary, Meghan the behind-the-scenes data architect. As Stathletes continues to expand across 22 leagues and partner with major broadcasters, her influence will only grow. For teams and leagues hesitant to invest in independent data providers, the choice is clear: adopt Stathletes’ insights, or risk being outmaneuvered by those who do.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• Gordie Howe: Stats, Career, Legacy & the Man Behind Mr. Hockey
• Zeev Buium: Age, Ethnicity, Family, and NHL Draft Projection