Doug Christiansen
ECAC Hockey Commissioner
Christiansen was named Commissioner by the ECAC Hockey athletics administrators in June 2023 after serving as Deputy Commissioner of the USHL.
In his role as commissioner, Christiansen oversees the overall management and operation of ECAC Hockey, including, but not limited to league scheduling, finances, officiating, championships and sponsorship fulfillment.
Following an expansive national search, ECAC Hockey announced Tuesday the hiring of Doug Christiansen as the league's new Commissioner. The announcement comes with the retirement of long-time ECAC Hockey Commissioner Steve Hagwell at the end of the month.
Christiansen is a seasoned hockey professional, serving in a range of roles over the past two decades, including player, coach, general manager, administrator, advisor and speaker. A proven leader, he will bring a wealth of experience, a growth mindset and a vast network to ECAC Hockey.
“Doug impressed the Search Committee with his energy and plans to capitalize on the strengths of our league,” said Sarah Fraser, incoming ECAC Hockey Executive Committee Chair and Deputy Director of Athletics/SWA at Quinnipiac University. “He is well connected in the sport of hockey, and will be able to engage with external constituents as easily as he will with our coaches and administrators. His familiarity with ECAC Hockey and his previous involvement with the entire ecosystem of the sport will be a true benefit to our membership and student-athletes.”
The hiring marks a return to ECAC Hockey for Christiansen who competed for four seasons on the men’s hockey team at Union College (1998-02). The Wisconsin native most recently served as Deputy Commissioner of the United States Hockey League (USHL) where he oversaw USHL Hockey operations and properties and served as the primary point of contact for USA Hockey, NHL Central Scouting, and media entities.
Christiansen is a seasoned hockey professional, serving in a range of roles over the past two decades, including player, coach, general manager, administrator, advisor and speaker. A proven leader, he will bring a wealth of experience, a growth mindset and a vast network to ECAC Hockey.
Player development has been the cornerstone of Christiansen’s career with roles that have consistently placed him at the forefront of the ever-changing hockey landscape. He is currently a member of the USA Hockey Junior Council, which oversees Junior Hockey in the United States, and has spearheaded a series of collaborative initiatives with the NHL focused on DEI, mental health and player safety.
During his time with the USHL, Christiansen presented at the NHL Leadership Summit and has spoken to over 18,000 players, coaches, advisors and parents. As the new face of ECAC Hockey, Christiansen is well-prepared to raise the profile of the Conference through targeted speaking engagements, creative social media campaigns and strategic partnerships.
In addition to an earlier stint in the USHL as Director of Player Development and Recruitment (2014-18), Christiansen spent four seasons (2018-2022) as a General Manager and Head Coach in the ECHL, beginning with the Manchester Monarchs (Los Angeles Kings) followed by three seasons with the Indy Fuel (Chicago Blackhawks).
Following his professional hockey playing career, Christiansen served as a Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations for seven seasons in the United Kingdom’s Elite League, which included a league championship in 2012, two-time Coach of the Year honors, and an appointment as Head Coach of Team Great Britain for the IIHF World Championships. Perhaps most notably, Christiansen spent three seasons coaching the Belfast Giants and looks forward to returning to Northern Ireland for the Belpot Tournament and Friendship Series.
Christiansen earned his Master's Degree in Sports Business Management from the University of Edinburgh and a Bachelor's Degree at Union College. His family’s ties to league member institutions run deep as his brother, Jeff, was also a hockey player at Union College (2010), his wife, Meghan, was a basketball player at Yale (2003) and his brother-in-law Brian was a basketball player at Harvard (2006). He currently resides in Carmel, Indiana with his wife Meghan and their two children and plans to relocate to the Northeast later this year.
