News coming out of Toronto today, as the Six bring back one of the top goalies in the NWHL. Goalie Elaine Chuli will return for her second season with the team, and the league.
During her rookie campaign for the Six, she posted a 4-1-0 record in the 6 games she dressed. She also boasts a 1.61 GAA and a .936 Save Percentage, even nabbing a shutout during the year. She will look to continue to improve on those numbers with a full season upcoming.
You can check out the full press release here:
HUNGRY FOR THE ISOBEL CUP, TORONTO SIX RE-SIGN BACKSTOP ELAINE CHULI
by Justin Levine
Toronto, ON – Having backstopped her team to a regular season championship, the Toronto Six are pleased to announce the re-signing of Elaine Chuli, who returns for her second season.
Agreeing to terms with Toronto for Season seven, the 27-year-old relished the opportunity to still compete at the pro level. âIt means so much, especially as you get older, you never really know when your last season is gonna be, so Iâm just trying to be in the present and Iâm just grateful for one more season at least, and Iâm training for it and excited and ready to go.â
Torontoâs chosen starter for Season six, Chuli, a native of Waterford, returns to a city sheâs all too familiar with. Following a single season under Digit Murphy in China, Chuli, much like Shiann Darkangelo, signed with the Toronto Furies in the Canadian Womenâs Hockey League.
When the league ceased operations following the 2018-19 season, Chuli joined the PWHPA for 2019-20, playing with the GTA West hub. While this allowed her the chance to participate in the inaugural barnstorming Dream Gap Tour, the backstop, after speaking with Digit, opted to sign with the Six in the National Womenâs Hockey League.
Voted as a candidate for Goaltender of the Year, Chuli, who stands at five-foot-seven, took the ice in six games during Lake Placid competition. During the shortened campaign, the Canadian put together a record of 4-1-0, while also adding one shutout.
Guiding Toronto to the top of the standings, Chuli was among the Founding Five players who signed with the Six for their inaugural 2020-21 season. Joining her was Kristen Barbara, Taylor Woods, Emma Greco and Darkangelo.
âAs a leader for the Six between the pipes, we are so excited to welcome back Elaine Chuli, who will help us inch closer to the Isobel Cup,â said Digit Murphy, the teamâs President and Head Coach. âChuli is a crucial piece of the puzzle who the team can rely on in all situations, and who leads by example both on and off the ice. We feel that re-signing a vet like Chuli was essential to bid for the championship.â
Prior to beginning her pro journey, Chuli played collegiate hockey in the NCAA with the Connecticut Huskies. Through four seasons, she became the all-time saves leader for both the Hockey East conference and the Huskies womenâs hockey program. Throughout 102 games, Chuli amassed a GAA of 2.93 and a .922 save percentage.
While named by the Huskies on three occasions as MVP, Chuli, as a Senior in 2016, was named to the CCM/AHCA All-American Second Team. With a long list of accolades to her name, Chuli also won a gold medal representing her country at the U18 Womenâs World Championship.
Anxious to chase the cup in Season seven, Chuli said the game day routine is what sheâs most looking forward to.
âI think itâs just getting back out on the ice in a game with my teammates, I think thatâs just the coolest part, I mean, the fans and everything now will be extra on top of that, but itâs just awesome every time you get to step out on the ice and compete, and for a team like the Toronto Six, itâs just super special.â
RMU Petition:
It was announced last week, that the funding for the Division 1 Men’s and Women’s hockey programs of Robert Morris University was cut. Here is the statement from RMU:
If you have the time, please consider signing the petition to help save RMU’s hockey programs, link provided:
Bring Back the RMU Hockey Programs Change.org Petition
https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-rmu-hockey
TXHT will continue to provide NWHL coverage as more signings and news are announced.
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