In the 2001–02 season, Exelby played in the American Hockey League (AHL) for the Chicago Wolves, winning the Calder Cup.

On July 1, 2009, Exelby (along with Colin Stuart) was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Pavel Kubina and Tim Stapleton.

On November 26, 2010, Exelby signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks, after which he was assigned to their AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs.

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

[4] After 17 scoreless games with Dornbirner in the 2014–15 season, he opted to end his tenure in Austria, leaving the club on December 1, 2014.