Elaine Chuli Bio
Elaine Monica Chuli (born May 16, 1994) is a Canadian ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Toronto Sceptres of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). Standing 5 feet 7 inches tall and playing the position with a left-handed catching style, she has built a reputation as one of the most durable goaltenders in women’s hockey.
Chuli first gained national attention as a college star with the UConn Huskies, where she set the all-time saves record for both the Hockey East conference (WHEA) and the Huskies program. She later won the Isobel Cup with the Toronto Six in 2023, one of the most significant trophies in North American women’s hockey.
Early Life and Background
Elaine Monica Chuli was born on May 16, 1994, in Waterford, Ontario, Canada. Growing up in a small Ontario community, she developed her interest in hockey at a young age and pursued the demanding goaltender position with steady commitment. Waterford, located in the southwestern part of the province, offered limited high-profile hockey infrastructure, which encouraged Chuli to seek competitive opportunities further from home.
Her path through youth hockey led her to international competition as a teenager. In 2012, she represented Team Canada at the IIHF World Women’s U18 Championship, joining a roster that included future stars such as Cayley Mercer, Laura Stacey, Erin Ambrose, and Emerance Maschmeyer. Chuli played the full 60 minutes in two games for Canada, posting shutouts of 6–0 against Germany and 7–0 against Sweden in the semifinals.
Her tournament save percentage of 1.000 and 0.00 goals-against average helped Canada sweep the competition and capture the gold medal. That early international success gave Chuli valuable experience heading into her college career in the United States.
Path to Hockey
Chuli enrolled at the University of Connecticut, where she joined the UConn Huskies women’s ice hockey program from 2012 to 2016. Over four seasons, she established herself as the program’s most accomplished goaltender, eventually becoming the all-time saves leader for both UConn and the Hockey East (WHEA) conference. Her consistency and workload set her apart from her peers.
In her senior year, Chuli was recognized with selection to the 2016 CCM/AHCA All-American Second Team, one of the highest honours for a college goaltender. She also earned multiple collegiate awards, including Honorable Mention, At-Large Team – District 1, Player Who Best Exemplifies the Team, and several monthly accolades throughout her career.
Following her graduation, Chuli transitioned to professional hockey. She was selected in the second round of the 2017 CWHL Draft by the Vanke Rays and signed for the 2017–18 season, where she logged 1,516 minutes in net, more than any other goaltender in the league that year. Though the Rays missed the playoffs, her workload demonstrated her durability and marked her arrival as a top-tier professional netminder.
Elaine Chuli Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
After the Vanke Rays merged with Kunlun Red Star WIH to form the Shenzhen KRS Vanke Rays, Chuli signed with the Toronto Furies for the 2018–19 season. The change gave her an opportunity to compete in a familiar Canadian market while continuing her development as a professional goaltender. Her time with the Furies coincided with the final season of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League.
When the CWHL folded in 2019, Chuli joined more than 200 women’s ice hockey players in forming the Professional Women’s Hockey Players’ Association (PWHPA). She played for Team Knox at the Unifor Showcase in Toronto in September 2019, the first event of the PWHPA’s Dream Gap Tour, and later competed for Team Spooner at the Secret Women’s Hockey Showcase in January 2020.
PWHL Era (2023–Present)
Chuli was selected in the thirteenth round, 78th overall, by PWHL Montreal in the 2023 PWHL Draft. She signed a one-year contract with the team and made her PWHL debut on January 10, 2024, earning a 5–2 victory over PWHL New York. Her transition to the new professional league marked the beginning of a new chapter in her career.
On June 17, 2025, Chuli signed a one-year contract with the Toronto Sceptres, the same city where she had previously played for the Toronto Six and Toronto Furies. She joined the Sceptres for the 2025–26 PWHL season under a contract scheduled to run through 2026.
NWHL/PHF and Toronto Six (2020–2023)
In April 2020, Chuli signed with the Toronto Six, the first Canadian expansion team of the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL). She started the Six’s very first game on January 23, 2021, against the Metropolitan Riveters, earning Second Star of the Game recognition in a 3–0 loss. Three days later, she recorded 24 saves in a 2–1 victory over the eventual Isobel Cup champion Boston Pride, securing the franchise’s first win.
Chuli continued as a steady presence for the Six across the PHF seasons. In 2023, she won the Isobel Cup with Toronto, capping one of the most meaningful team achievements in her career. Her leadership between the pipes helped establish the Six as a competitive force in North American women’s hockey.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Chuli’s career milestones are her 2012 IIHF U18 gold medal with Canada, her all-time saves record at UConn, and her Isobel Cup championship with the Toronto Six in 2023. Her professional debut with the Toronto Six on January 23, 2021, and her first PWHL start on January 10, 2024, both stand as signature moments in her journey through multiple leagues.
Elaine Chuli Career Wins
Elaine Chuli has compiled notable victories at every level of her career. Her championship resume includes an IIHF U18 gold medal with Canada in 2012 and an Isobel Cup title with the Toronto Six in 2023. She also earned individual recognition as a CCM/AHCA All-American Second Team selection in 2016.
NWHL/PHF Highlights
Chuli’s most memorable NWHL victory came on January 26, 2021, when she recorded 24 saves in a 2–1 win over the Boston Pride, an opponent that would go on to win the Isobel Cup that season. Her performance helped the Toronto Six record the first win in franchise history and announced the team’s arrival in the league.
PWHL Highlights
In the PWHL, Chuli opened her career with a 5–2 win over PWHL New York on January 10, 2024, playing for PWHL Montreal. She continued her winning ways after signing with the Toronto Sceptres in June 2025, contributing to the team’s efforts throughout the 2025–26 season.
Elaine Chuli Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Elaine Chuli has one sister, Ericka Chuli, who has been part of her support system throughout her hockey career. The siblings share a close bond, and Ericka’s presence has been a steady influence on Elaine’s journey from Waterford, Ontario, to the international stage.
Personal Life
Chuli holds a degree in accounting from the University of Connecticut, reflecting her commitment to education alongside athletics. She is a member of the LGBTQ community and is in a relationship with PWHL Montreal Victoire forward Shiann Darkangelo. The couple have been public supporters of one another’s careers across the professional women’s hockey landscape.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks a new beginning for Elaine Chuli with the Toronto Sceptres of the PWHL. After signing a one-year contract on June 17, 2025, she joined the Sceptres with the goal of building on the momentum from her Isobel Cup victory and her previous PWHL experience with Montreal.
Chuli’s presence adds veteran stability to the Sceptres’ goaltending group. Her track record of handling heavy workloads, including 1,516 minutes in a single CWHL season, makes her a reliable option as the team navigates the 2025–26 PWHL schedule.
With a contract running through 2026, Chuli and the Toronto Sceptres are positioned to compete in one of North America’s most competitive women’s hockey leagues. Her combination of experience, durability, and competitive drive will be central to the team’s ambitions in the current season.