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The Wheeling Nailers, the proud AA affiliate of
the Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins, congratulate
the gold medal winning U.S.A. under-20 team and
especially former Nailer goalie Joe Exter who was
an assistant coach for the team.
The U.S.A. snapped Canada's five year reign on
the championship with a thrilling 6-5 overtime win
in the championship game Tuesday night in Saskatoon,
Saskatchewan.
Exter has been serving as the goaltender coach
for the US NTDP (National Team Develop Program)
while also working with the national under-20 team
for the World Juniors competition. The 31 year old
Cranston, RI native served under legendary college
coach Dean Blais on this year's U.S.A. team and
got plenty of air-time too as he was interviewed
frequently on the NHL Network coverage between periods.
Exter played for the Nailers in 2003-04 and 2004-05
going a very impressive 8-2-0, 2.30, .924 in his
rookie season. He then went 10-13-2, 2.89, .906
the next year before turning to coaching.
"We are very proud of Joe and congratulate
him on his Gold. From the day he arrived in Wheeling,
he was always striving to better himself and learn
as much as possible - and that surely has made Joe
a very valuable asset to Team USA's coaching staff."
said Nailers President Jim Brooks.
But the way his college career ended there wasn't
supposed to be a pro career at all for him. While
with Merrimack College, Exter was involved in a
near fatal accident on the ice in a violent collision
on March 7, 2003 in a race for the puck that resulted
in him taking a knee to the side of his head and
then falling hard on the ice. Exactly one year after
trainers on the ice were able to save him he was
thrilled to be partway through his debut professional
season for Wheeling after convincing the Penguins
organization to give him a chance.
After his two seasons with the Nailers. he turned
to coaching at the college ranks and then with the
US National Development Program. And now he has
a gold medal as well after an intense couple of
weeks in the preliminary rounds concluded with a
wild and exciting win in the finale.
Congratulations to Joe Exter from all of us at
the Wheeling Nailers!
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