Joe Exter

Last updated
Joe Exter
Born (1978-12-19) December 19, 1978 (age 45)
Cranston, Rhode Island, US
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 183 lb (83 kg; 13 st 1 lb)
Position Goaltender
Caught Left
Played for Wheeling Nailers
NHL draft undrafted
Playing career 2003–2005
Coaching career
Biographical details
Alma mater Merrimack College
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2005–2006 American International (assistant)
2006–2007 Cedar Rapids Roughriders (assistant)
2007–2011 USNTDP (goaltending)
2009–2012 US National Junior Team (assistant)
2012–2017 Ohio State (assistant)
2017–2022 Michigan State (assistant)

Joe Exter (born December 19, 1978) is a retired American ice hockey goaltender. He is famous for playing two seasons with the ECHL's Wheeling Nailers several months after being in a coma due to an on-ice collision. [1]

Contents

Career

Exter started his career with the Erie Otters, where he split time with former Edmonton Oilers draft pick Patrick Dovigi and former Los Angeles Kings draft pick Steve Valiquette. He played eleven games, going 0-4-0 with a 4.13 GAA. After a year with the Waterloo Black Hawks of the USHL where he shared duties with two other goalies, Exter moved on to Merrimack College of Hockey East. Exter started more than twenty-five games in each of his three seasons with Merrimack College, compiling a 31-47-8 record.

Coma

On March 8, 2003, Exter and Boston College forward Patrick Eaves were racing for an open puck with about six minutes left in the game. Exter and Eaves collided, with Eaves' left hip striking Exter in the head. The resulting hit knocked Exter's helmet from his head. As Exter's head hit the ice, he was knocked unconscious and blood began to pour from both of his ears. Paramedics on standby for the game and trainers from both Merrimack and Boston college treated Exter and immobilized him before removing him from the ice and transporting him to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. [2] Upon admission, Exter was in a critical condition and was put in a medically induced coma for ten days, and doctors suggested that he retire from hockey. After ten days, Exter was taken off sedatives and started to acknowledge questions by a series of blinks. In less than three weeks, Exter was moved to Spaulding Rehabilitation Center, where he re-learned to speak and to swallow. A week later, Exter was released to his Cranston home. [3] Exter would later say that he did not blame Eaves for the hit, and that the incident was "a hockey play. [1] "

Exter completed a series of rehabilitation tests within a week of therapy and decided that he was still could play hockey. By August, he was training on Merrimack's ice. Despite the numerous weeks of training and therapy, Exter received minimal interest from scouts. He would receive an offer from Pittsburgh Penguins scout Greg Malone, who had been scouting Exter prior to his accident. Exter eventually signed with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, the Penguins' AHL affiliate, on December 24, 2003, and was immediately assigned to the Penguins' ECHL affiliate in Wheeling. [4]

Professional

In his rookie season, Exter went 8-2-0 in 15 games and led the team with a .924 save percentage. Since Exter played more than ten games in his rookie season, this activated a clause in his contract that required the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to re-sign Exter for the following season. [4]

During the 2004-05 season (which coincided with the NHL lockout), Exter shared goaltending duties with Pittsburgh Penguins draft picks Dany Sabourin and Andy Chiodo. Coincidentally, Ben Eaves, brother of Patrick Eaves and also a Penguins draft pick, was also a member of the 2004-05 Nailers. Exter finished the season 10-13-2 with a career-high four shutouts.

Retirement

Upon his retirement, Exter became involved in coaching. He started as an assistant coach with American International College during the 2005-06 season. [5] Since 2008, Exter has been involved with both the US U18 and U20 programs, being named the first full-time goaltender coach in program history. [1]

In addition to working with the USA Hockey's National Team Development Program, Exter is also an assistant coach with the Ohio State University ice hockey team, [6] being named to the coaching staff on July 11, [7]

Awards and honors

AwardYear
All-Hockey East Rookie Team 2000–01
All-Hockey East Second Team 2002–03

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wheeling Nailers</span> ECHL ice hockey team

The Wheeling Nailers are a professional ECHL ice hockey team based in Wheeling, West Virginia. They are the ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andy Chiodo</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1983)

Andy Chiodo is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. Chiodo played eight games in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 2003–04 season, for whom he is presently a goaltending coach. The rest of his career, which lasted from 2003 to 2017, was mainly spent in European leagues.

John Clark Donatelli is an American former professional ice hockey player and is the former head coach of the AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Donatelli was a long-time minor league player in the American Hockey League (AHL) and International Hockey League (IHL). He played 35 games in the National Hockey League (NHL). Internationally Donatelli played for the American national team at several World Championships, the 1988 and 1992 Winter Olympics.

Mattias Modig is a Swedish former professional ice hockey goaltender. He played in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) with Luleå HF and Växjö Lakers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Eaves</span> American ice hockey player

Benjamin Coel Eaves is an American former professional ice hockey center. He is currently the strength and conditioning coach for the Cleveland Monsters of the American Hockey League (AHL) - where his father and former National Hockey League (NHL) player Mike Eaves is head coach. His brother Patrick played over 600 games in the NHL.

Aaron Boogaard is a former professional ice hockey player who most recently played for the Wichita Thunder of the ECHL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brad Thiessen</span> Ice hockey player

Brad Thiessen is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who played briefly in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Bryan "Boomer" Ewing is an American former professional ice hockey player who last played for the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League. Ewing began his professional career in 2008 with the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrew Penner</span> Canadian ice hockey player

Andrew Penner is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who last played for the Colorado Eagles of the ECHL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Muse</span> American ice hockey goaltender (born 1988)

John Roger Muse is an American ice hockey goaltender who is currently with the Worcester Railers in the ECHL. Muse was most recently with the Glasgow Clan in the UK Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL). He also previously played with Rødovre Mighty Bulls in the Danish Metal Ligaen, and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Nick Boucher is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who played for the Fort Wayne Komets of the CHL.

Brian Foster is an American professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently playing for the Wheeling Nailers in the ECHL on loan from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League (AHL).

Chris Barton is a Canadian former professional ice hockey forward.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colin Stevens</span> American ice hockey player

Colin Stevens is an American former professional ice hockey goaltender.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garret Sparks</span> American ice hockey player (born 1993)

Garret Sparks is an American professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played under contract for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League (AHL). Sparks was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the seventh round, 190th overall, in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. As of 2021, he is one of only 26 goaltenders in league history, and the third most recent, to record a shutout in his NHL debut; Sparks was also the third Maple Leafs goaltender to do so. In 2018, Sparks was awarded the Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award as the AHL goaltender with the lowest goals against average, which helped lead the Toronto Marlies to their first Calder Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carter Rowney</span> Canadian ice hockey player

Carter Rowney is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward currently under contract with Löwen Frankfurt of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). Rowney has previously played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Anaheim Ducks and Detroit Red Wings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jean-Sébastien Dea</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1994)

Jean-Sébastien Dea is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who is currently under contract with HC Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He previously played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, New Jersey Devils, Buffalo Sabres, and Arizona Coyotes of the National Hockey League (NHL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Casey DeSmith</span> American ice hockey goaltender

Casey DeSmith is an American professional ice hockey goaltender for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League (NHL). He holds the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins record for most saves in a playoff game. DeSmith was named to the AHL's 2016–17 All-Rookie Team and was a co-recipient of the 2017 Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award.

Joel J. Laing is a Canadian ice hockey coach and former goaltender who was an All-American for Rensselaer.

Dylan Zink is an American ice hockey executive and former defenseman. He was an All-American for Massachusetts Lowell.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "The Top Five freak injuries to goalies in hockey history". hockeyadventure.com. November 5, 2007. Retrieved August 18, 2011.
  2. ↑ "Exter in Serious Condition With Fractured Skull". uscho.com. March 7, 2003. Retrieved August 18, 2011.
  3. ↑ E.M. Swift (April 21, 2003). "Back On His Feet". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on January 19, 2013. Retrieved August 18, 2011.
  4. 1 2 Kelley King (March 29, 2004). "Save Of A Lifetime". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved August 18, 2011.
  5. ↑ Joe Exter Joins AIC Hockey Staff August 9, 2005
  6. ↑ OhioStateUniversity.com: Joe Exter (assistant coach)
  7. ↑ "Exter Joins Ohio State Hockey Staff". Ohio State Buckeyes. July 11, 2011. Retrieved August 18, 2011.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Hockey East Three-Stars Award
(Shared With Ben Eaves)
2002–03 		Succeeded by
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.