July 11, 2011
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Joe Exter, an assistant coach at USA Hockey's National Team Development Program the last four years, will join the Ohio State hockey program as an assistant coach, Buckeye head coach
Mark Osiecki announced Monday. In addition to coaching at the NTDP, Exter has been on the U.S. staff for the prestigious World Junior Championship since 2009 and also has been behind the bench with the USHL's Cedar Rapids RoughRiders and at American International College.
"The experience Joe brings from working in college, in the USHL and with USA Hockey will be invaluable to our program," Osiecki, who is entering his second season at the helm of the Buckeyes, said. "He has been around the best hockey players from the United States the last four years, including some of the best goalies during that time period. He will add a great deal to both our staff and the Ohio State hockey program overall."
Exter was on staff with Osiecki at the World Junior Championship when the U.S. won gold in 2010 and with the bronze-medal squad in 2011, the first time Team USA won back-to-back medals in the event. Exter will serve as an assistant coach with the 2012 team this winter.
"I am thrilled to be a part of the Ohio State hockey family," Exter, a native of Cranston, R.I., said. "I look forward to working with Coach Osiecki and Coach Rohlik to build upon the strong foundation they created last year."
Exter was the first full-time goaltending coach at USA Hockey's National Team Development Program. His responsibilities included planning, designing and executing the regular on-ice practices for goaltenders, as well as scouting and evaluating the nation's top goaltending prospects. Exter was the coordinator of the revolutionary Warren Strelow National Goaltending Mentor Program, which is designed to recruit, develop and produce elite goaltenders in the United States.
"Joe did an outstanding job developing the goalies at USA Hockey's National Team Development Program, along with shaping the future of goaltending in the United States with the Warren Strelow National Goaltending Mentor Program," Ron Rolston, Head Coach of the Under-18 Team with the U.S. National Team Development Program, said. "He will be a tremendous addition to Coach Osiecki's staff and the Ohio State hockey program. His passion and knowledge of the game will be a valuable asset in their rise to the top of college hockey."
Exter has been on the coaching staff of the U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team for three IIHF World Men's U18 Championships. He was an assistant coach for U.S. squads that captured gold medals at the tournament in both 2009 and 2010, along with the bronze-medal squad in 2008.
"Joe has done an outstanding job in working with goaltenders at all levels of the USA development system," Jim Johannson, USA Hockey assistant executive director, hockey operations, said. "His work in building out the Strelow goaltending mentor system will deliver long term continued development of American goaltenders at all levels. We wish him well in his continued coaching endeavors."
Prior to joining USA Hockey, Exter spent the 2006-07 season with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders of the United States Hockey League, where he was responsible for the team's defensemen and goaltenders, as well as overseeing scouting and recruiting efforts.
In 2005-06, Exter served as an assistant coach for American International College where he was responsible for recruiting, defensive coverage and special team strategy, along with development of the defensemen and goalies and game film evaluation. He began his coaching career as an assistant at Cushing Academy, his alma mater.
Exter was a 2003 second-team All-Hockey East selection at Merrimack and earned a spot on the league's 2001 all-rookie team. He served as team captain his final year after a season as an assistant captain. He was the team's MVP in 2003 and won the Players Coach Award that season.
Following his collegiate career, Exter spent two seasons in the Pittsburgh Penguins organization, playing for the Wheeling Nailers in the ECHL.
Exter earned his bachelor's degree in political science from Merrimack in 2003. He is married to Erin Van Bruggen, who also attended Merrimack.
