Toronto, Ontario native Randy Exelby spent four seasons with Lake Superior State before turning pro with the Montreal Canadiens organization. He played his first pro season with the Sherbrooke Canadiens of the American Hockey League in 1987-88.
However, during his second season, he elevated his game to a new level and was rewarded with an appearance in an NHL game as a result. Exelby recorded 31 wins in 52 games and posted a 2.98 goals against average. He was named to the AHL First All-Star Team, shared the Harry "Hap" Holmes trophy for fewest goals against allowed with Francois Gravel, and captured the Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award for the AHL's Top Goaltender. The highlight of the year came, however, when he was summoned to Montreal and played in an NHL contest. Exelby played just three minutes with the Canadiens.
Just prior to the next season, the 1989-90 campaign, the Canadiens traded Exelby to the Edmonton Oilers for future considerations. Though Exelby spent his year primarily with the Phoenix Roadrunners or the International Hockey League, he did get up to Edmonton for one game, this time getting a start. Though he lost the game and surrendered five goals, it proved to be Exelby's longest NHL stint.
His spent his final year, the next season, with three teams, suiting up for the Springfield Indians, the Kansas City Blades, and the Louisville IceHawks before retiring at year's end.
