Garnet Exelby

Garnet Exelby (born August 16, 1981 in Craik, Saskatchewan, and raised in Ste. Anne, Manitoba) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently with the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League. He is particularly known for his aggressive style of play and his fearsome bodychecking skills.

Playing career
Exelby was drafted by the Thrashers in round 8, 217th overall, at the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. Having already spent one year playing junior hockey for the Saskatoon Blades of the WHL, Exelby played the next two seasons at the WHL with the Blades and the Regina Pats. In the 2001–02 season, Exelby moved away from the juniors and played in the AHL for the Chicago Wolves. He stayed with the Wolves for the whole of that season, as the Wolves clinched the AHL's Calder Cup. Exelby was called up to the main Thrashers roster midway through the 2002–03 NHL season.

On July 1, 2009, Exelby was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs with Colin Stuart for Pavel Kubina and the rights to Tim Stapleton.

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

On November 26, 2010 the Chicago Blackhawks signed Exelby to a one-year contract and assigned him to their AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs.

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

Awards

 * Inaugural recipient of the Dan Snyder Memorial Award - 2003–04

Career transactions

 * Selected by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft as an 8th 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, July 1, 2009