Exell to help Bulldogs

The North American Hockey League (NAHL) website announced today Billy Exell, a member of the Robertson Cup championship Minnesota Wilderness will move on to play and study at the University of Minnesota Duluth this fall.

Exell, a 19-year-old native of Thunder Bay, ON is thrilled to be moving to play hockey at nearby Minnesota Duluth.

“It has always been a dream and a goal of mine to play for the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs, so getting this opportunity is a great honor for me,” said Exell in the NAHL press release. “During my time with the Wilderness and in the NAHL, I feel I have grown a lot as a player and I want to thank coach Millen, my billet family and all my teammates for helping to make my junior career a great experience. Winning the Robertson Cup will be a memory I will cherish forever.”

Exell, a 5’10” 165 lbs. Right Winger came to the Wilderness from the Thunder Bay Kings Midget AAA team in 2013 and finished his first season with the Wilderness appearing in 56 games and collecting 29 points (8g; 21a), then returned the past season to add 34 points (14g; 20a) in 55 games. In the 12 playoff games this past spring Exell added three goals and five assists in a dozen games. He also played in the League’s Top Prospects Tournament this past season, scoring twice in two games with the Midwest Division team.

“We are excited for Billy to get the opportunity to play for a great program like the University of Minnesota-Duluth,” said Wilderness head coach Corey Millen. “Billy has been a huge part of the Wilderness family from the beginning through our championship run. He is very deserving and we are happy we will get to continue to watch him over the next four years right down the road.”

The Bulldogs will begin its season with an exhibition game Oct. 4 against Lakehead University at the Amsoil Arena. The NCHC team will open the regular season with a home and away set the following weekend against Bemidji State