Wonderful to read.  I had seen an interview with him not too long ago
that said he has hopes of playing pro.  I am very pleased to see that
his dream is coming through.   I hope he continues to have great health.

Sara
SLU '77
Let's go SAINTS!!!



Joe LaCour wrote:

>>From the ECHL email
>----- Original Message -----
>
>
>>Exter's Comeback Continues With First Pro Win
>>
>>Wheeling's Joe Exter took another giant step forward in his hockey career.
>>
>>
>Making his first professional start, Exter had 20 saves and registered his
>first professional win in a 4-3 overtime victory at Cincinnati on February
>7.
>
>
>>Signed to a contract with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey
>>
>>
>League on December 24, Exter was assigned to Wheeling on January 9. He made
>his first professional appearance on January 10 allowing two goals and
>making four saves while playing 18:44 of the third period in a 5-2 loss at
>Cincinnati. He made two saves and did not allow a goal while playing the
>final 8:49 of a 3-0 loss at Johnstown on February 4.
>
>
>>On March 7, 2003, Exter, then playing for Merrimack College, had his
>>
>>
>helmet knocked loose in an on-ice collision with Boston College freshman
>Patrick Eaves, whose knee hit Exter in the temple. Exter's head hit the ice,
>he was knocked unconscious and he began to convulse. Exter had suffered two
>skull fractures and he spent 25 minutes lying on the ice while medical staff
>and paramedics prepared to transfer him to the hospital. Exter spent almost
>two weeks in a coma at Beth Israel Deaconess
>
>
>>Medical Center's intensive care unit. After waking up from the coma,
>>
>>
>doctors were simply hoping that Exter would be able to walk again and felt
>that hockey was out of the question.
>
>
>>Exter, who began skating three months later, was not drafted, but had
>>
>>
>interest from several teams in the National Hockey League before the
>accident. As his recovery progressed, Exter said that the New York Rangers,
>the Florida Panthers and the Pittsburgh Penguins expressed interest with all
>planning to sign him to an AHL contract and then assigning him to an ECHL
>team. If Exter plays in a combined 15 games between Wheeling and
>Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in 2003-04, his contract will automatically be
>
>
>>renewed for 2004-05 and he is guaranteed a spot at the Penguins training
>>
>>
>camp.
>
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>
>