TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Arizona State hockey program has announced veteran NHL defenseman John Garnet Exelby will be added to the staff as the strength and conditioning coach for the 2016-17 season.
“We could not be more excited to have a world class hockey specific strength coach on our staff," said Sun Devil hockey head coach Greg Powers. "Garnet has over 400 games played as a defenseman in the NHL, and when you combine his NHL experience with what we already have on our staff, we have officially comprised a staff of coaches that absolutely knows what it takes to send our student-athletes to the next level. Garnet’s passion and commitment to off-ice and on-ice conditioning will not only strengthen our vision for Sun Devil Hockey, but it will accelerate it as well."
Exelby played over 400 games in both the NHL and the AHL (American Hockey League), winning a Calder Cup in 2002 with the Chicago Wolves, was named to the AHL All-Star team in 2003 and dubbed an NHL Young Star in 2004. He was drafted by the former Winnipeg Jets' franchise, the Atlanta Thrashers, in the 1999 NHL Draft in the 8th round.
After six seasons with the Thrashers and over 350 games, he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs and played 51 games during the 2009-10 season before acting as the captain for the Rockford IceHogs, Grand Rapids Griffins and Norfolk Admirals in the AHL between the 2010 and 2014 seasons.
Exelby recently earned his NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) certificiation and this will serve as his first position after his 18-year professional hockey career.
This is the second hire the Sun Devil hockey program has made this offseason, following the addition of goalie coach George Bosak in April.