Atlantic Coast Collegiate Hockey League Official Site

Deb Elek has been named the ACC Women's Hockey Commissioner as it enters its inaugural season in the ACCHL during the 2020-21 season.

Deb moved from Massachusetts to North Carolina two and a half years ago and brought her passion for coaching girls and women’s hockey with her.  Upon her arrival she immediately began coaching with the Junior Hurricanes girls’ program while serving as a scout with an elite women’s junior program in New Hampshire.

Prior to her two-year stint as a scout, Deb spent four seasons as an assistant coach with Salem State University, joining the staff in 2013 in what was the inaugural season of the Independent Women’s Club Hockey League (IWCHL).  During the first year, she helped coach the Vikings to an impressive undefeated and League Championship season followed by a season record of 18-4-1 during the 2014-15 season. Deb spent these first two seasons successfully helping prepare the program’s transition to NCAA Division III for its inaugural 2015-16 season.

As an assistant, she carried out responsibilities in all aspects of coaching and player development while also taking on a significant role scouting and recruiting.

Deb began her ice hockey coaching career in 2006 as the Head Coach of the Clarkson University Edge women’s club ice hockey team and spearheaded the launch of several community hockey programs while serving as the Director of the Center for Regional Research and Community Education at SUNY Potsdam.

Prior to beginning her coaching career with Salem State, she also coached two seasons with the East Coast Wizards girls ice hockey development program and a season with the Charles River girls ice hockey development program.

Deb holds both a USA Hockey Level 4 coaching certification and New York State coaching certification.

Deb is a graduate of New York University with a bachelor’s degree in biology and went on to earn a master’s degree in education from the University of Southern California and a master’s degree in military studies from Marine Corps Command and Staff College, respectively.

Deb is a member of the American Hockey Coaches Association and is actively engaged in community outreach programs.  She served five years on the Board of Directors for the Skate for the 22 Foundation in Burlington, MA, and is the founder and CEO of 22 Saves Hockey Foundation focused on providing a therapeutic ice hockey experience for veterans to prevent veteran suicide.

The ACC Hockey League is proud to have Deb at the helm for our inaugural season of our newly formed ACC W2 League!