Garnet Exelby

John Garnet Exelby (born August 16, 1981) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Atlanta Thrashers and Toronto Maple Leafs. He was particularly known for his aggressive style of play and his checking abilities.

Playing career After one season played with the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League (WHL) in 1998–99, Exelby was drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers in the eighth round, 217th overall, of the 1999 NHL entry draft. He would continue playing in the WHL for the next two season with the Blades and Regina Pats.

In the 2001–02 season, Exelby played in the American Hockey League (AHL) for the Chicago Wolves, winning the Calder Cup. Exelby was called up by the Thrashers midway through the 2002–03 season.

On July 1, 2009, Exelby (along with Colin Stuart) was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Pavel Kubina and Tim Stapleton.

Exelby became a free agent on July 1, 2010. He was invited on a try-out basis with the New York Rangers, but was released on September 27.

On November 26, 2010, Exelby signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks, after which he was assigned to their AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs.

On July 5, 2011, Exelby signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings with the expectation that he would provide depth for their AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins.

On July 11, 2012, as a free agent, Exelby signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Boston Bruins. He did not make an appearance with Boston, instead serving as an alternate captain for their AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins.

After captaining the Norfolk Admirals on one-year AHL contract in the 2013–14 season, and having not played in the NHL since 2010, on July 16, 2014, Exelby left North America to sign a one-year contract with Austrian Hockey League club Dornbirner EC. After 17 scoreless games with Dornbirner in the 2014–15 season, he opted to end his tenure in Austria, leaving the club on December 1, 2014.

Career statistics

Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1997–98 Winnipeg South Blues MJHL 46 5 11 16 110 — — — — — 1998–99 Saskatoon Blades WHL 61 5 3 8 91 — — — — — 1999–2000 Saskatoon Blades WHL 63 1 8 9 79 11 0 2 2 21 2000–01 Saskatoon Blades WHL 43 5 10 15 110 — — — — — 2000–01 Regina Pats WHL 22 2 8 10 51 6 0 2 2 2 2001–02 Chicago Wolves AHL 75 3 4 7 257 25 0 4 4 49 2002–03 Atlanta Thrashers NHL 15 0 2 2 41 — — — — — 2002–03 Chicago Wolves AHL 53 3 6 9 140 9 0 1 1 27 2003–04 Atlanta Thrashers NHL 71 1 9 10 134 — — — — — 2005–06 Atlanta Thrashers NHL 75 1 9 10 75 — — — — — 2006–07 Atlanta Thrashers NHL 58 2 8 10 56 4 0 0 0 6 2007–08 Atlanta Thrashers NHL 79 2 5 7 85 — — — — — 2008–09 Atlanta Thrashers NHL 59 0 7 7 120 — — — — — 2009–10 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 51 1 3 4 73 — — — — — 2010–11 Rockford IceHogs AHL 77 3 10 13 128 — — — — — 2011–12 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 75 7 14 21 177 — — — — — 2012–13 Providence Bruins AHL 52 2 7 9 95 12 0 2 2 31 2013–14 Norfolk Admirals AHL 72 0 18 18 111 8 0 1 1 0 2014–15 Dornbirner EC EBEL 17 0 0 0 82 — — — — — 2015–16 Sun Valley Suns BDHL 2 0 0 0 9 — — — — — NHL totals 408 7 43 50 584 4 0 0 0 6

Awards and honours Award Year AHL Calder Cup (Chicago Wolves) 2002 Atlanta Thrashers Dan Snyder Memorial Award 2004

Career transactions Selected by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft as an eighth round choice, 217th overall. Traded to Regina Pats (WHL) by Saskatoon Blades (WHL) for Scott Balan and future considerations, January 15, 2001. Called up during the NHL 2002–03 season. Traded to Toronto Maple Leafs along with Colin Stuart for Pavel Kubina and Tim Stapleton, July 1, 2009 Signed to the Detroit Red Wings, July 5, 2011 Signed by the Boston Bruins as a free agent, July 11, 2012