The picture wasn’t staged. It stood out despite lacking the staged feel of a formal family portrait, mainly due to the subjects and the subliminal messages it sent. Maïka Desnoyers was standing there with her son Hayden, who had just graduated from high school. Guillaume Latendresse was standing behind her, not quite in focus but definitely there. It was a subtle moment, but it was really significant. A chapter had been finished by their kid. And they were both present, side by side, to commemorate it.
This wasn’t a publicity stunt. Not a clickbait campaign. It was a reflection of the calm continuity that many parents desire but few are able to achieve following a breakup. The graduation occurred in the middle of 2025, right before Hayden was getting ready to go for Trinity-Pawling Prep School in New York. Letting him go wasn’t merely a practical choice. It was incredibly touching and showed that both parents had long before come to terms with their new roles as partners in raising a young man who was prepared to follow his own path, rather than merely as individuals.
Once a formidable force on the ice for the Canadiens, the Wild, and eventually the Senators, Guillaume Latendresse has long since moved away from the cacophony of the arena. He walks with a certain calmness now—less attention, more sidelines, and an apparent focus on his baby. Once captivating pageant audiences and then TV screens, Maïka has made a name for herself through real estate, media appearances, and her own fan base. They still meet where it matters—at Hayden—even though their lives no longer cross romantically.
Table: Bio Snapshot
| Name | Maïka Desnoyers and Guillaume Latendresse |
|---|---|
| Relationship | Former couple, now co-parents |
| Child | One son, Hayden Latendresse |
| Current Status | Separated; Maïka is now with Étienne Boulay |
| Recent Milestone | Hayden graduated high school in 2025 and moved to New York |
| Hayden’s Next Step | Trinity-Pawling Prep School, U.S., for hockey and academics |
| Guillaume’s Background | Former NHL player (Canadiens, Wild, Senators) |
| Maïka’s Background | Media personality; former Miss Universe Canada contestant |
| Notable Co-Parenting | Publicly supportive, friendly dynamic despite separation |
| Reference | 7 Jours Magazine – Graduation Photo Coverage |
Not only do they cooperate, but they also appear to enjoy it, which is what makes this co-parenting partnership so successful. A few weeks prior to the graduation, a picture of Maïka and her current companion, Étienne Boulay, grinning for the camera went viral, but Guillaume appeared in the background. It was a humorous and telling gesture. Not many ex-partners are able to create room for a new partner with such obvious ease.
They’ve developed a model that feels extremely novel—especially for public figures—by letting those brief, unpracticed moments live in public. Detachment or conflict are common frames for co-parenting. Here, however, it appears to be based on silent trust. Have faith that everyone is doing their share. Have faith that stability is better for Hayden than silence.
For his part, Hayden seems prepared to start his own story. Trinity-Pawling is a cultural and geographical leap. Hockey at an American prep school, which is known for its discipline and growth, is as much about character as it is about skill. It provides a fresh start for a young Canadian reared between his parents’ disparate careers.
Maïka posted this quote online, and I kept coming back to it: “Time flies.” High school is almost over, and a fantastic journey is about to begin. We are all incredibly proud of you. It wasn’t long or flowery, but it had a genuine quality that was shaped by years of working hard as a parent.
Reading between the lines of reportage, I was most taken aback by the lack of resentment. There were no veiled criticisms or passive-aggressive remarks. Just a feeling of pride as a group. As a journalist, I have witnessed innumerable celebrity splits turn into circuses in the media. However, there was a difference here. And I was silently appreciating the restraint.
Maïka and Guillaume have done something really helpful by allowing Hayden to relocate, both physically and emotionally: they have given him room. To become, not only to grow. That can be challenging, particularly for well-known parents whose identities were formed in the spotlight. It can be difficult to muster the humility needed to let go in many situations.
They have been able to stay involved without going too far by making deliberate decisions. They have provided presence rather than coercion. Their message is very clear: family doesn’t have to be defined by conventional duties, but rather by unwavering love. That’s a valuable lesson to remember, particularly at this time.
Neither Maïka nor Guillaume have ever actively sought recognition, but they have also not fled from it either. seeming transparent without seeming performative is a very flexible balance. It gives them authority over the narrative without turning it into a spectacle.
The lack of friction is what has significantly enhanced their method over time. Maïka was candid about times of hardship in previous interviews. Co-parenting wasn’t easy at first. They got used to it, though. This story’s complexity comes from that growth, which is frequently concealed behind flawless images.
As Hayden’s graduation drew nearer over the previous year, their appearances together grew more regular and organic. nor clumsily staged, nor too personal. With their son at the focus, rather than the past, it’s just two individuals acclimating to a new family.
They have established a genuine emotional rhythm by consistently coming up. Big gestures are not necessary. The consistency is self-evident. Standing between them and grinning in that graduation photo, Hayden represented more than simply a scholastic achievement. He served as evidence that hard work pays off.
