Steve Rexe

Infobox Ice Hockey Player


image_size=
team=Binghamton Dusters
former_teams = Peterborough Petes
Canadian National Team
Ottawa Nationals
Belleville Mohawks
Belleville Quintes
Greensboro Generals
Springfield Kings
Springfield Indians
Napanee Comets
Lindsay Lancers
league = Minors
position = Goalie
height_ft = 5
height_in = 10
weight_lb = 185
nickname =
nationality = CAN
birth_date = birth date and age|1947|02|26
birth_place = Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
draft = 2^nd overall
draft_year = 1967
draft_team = Pittsburgh Penguins
career_start = 1967

Stephen Glen Rexe was the first ever amateur draft pick for the Pittsburgh Penguins. In June 1967, while cruising in his convertible, Rexe got the word over the radio that the brand new Penguins in the NHL's first expansion ever from six teams to 12 made him, a goaltender of the Peterborough Petes, their first pick in the first round and the second NHL selection overall in that year's junior draft.

Biography

As the weeks went by, Rexe received no word from the Penguins, and then a large envelope arrived in the mail from Penguins GM Jack Riley. It was a contract offering Rexe $7,500 to sign and $7,500 more for one season.

Rexe held off immediately signing it, still thinking he'd get an imminent phone call or visit from the Penguins. The visit he did get was from a priest named Father Bauer who informed Rexe he was putting together a national hockey team of amateur players to compete internationally for Canada, including the 1968 Winter Olympics, and he wanted Rexe for the team.

Rexe knew that the money he would be paid was less than the Pittsburgh offer, but it would turn out to be more because it was tax-free. Aside from the money Rexe knew and trusted Father Bauer and felt that he was decent, wonderful human being. Plus he'd be representing his country, which meant a lot to Rexe. Also, there was no guarantee he would be playing for Pittsburgh even though they were new. So Rexe promised Father Bauer he'd play for him.

Rexe then wrote to Jack Riley saying thanks but no thanks, explained the situation, and that he wouldn't be attending training camp. He would never play a game for the Penguins or any other NHL team, and spent the rest of his career in the minors.

Steve Rexe played for the national team, primarily as a second and third stringer, and his career evolved from there to seasons with the Ottawa Nationals, Belleville Mohawks, Belleville Quintes of the OHA Senior League, Greensboro Generals of the EHL, Springfield Kings and Springfield Indians of the AHL, Napanee Comets and Lindsay Lancers of the OHA Sr. League, Binghamton Dusters of the NAHL. He owned and coached the QJHL Whitby Lawmen in the 1984-1985 season.

Today

Today Rexe is an importer and exporter of automobiles. He resides in Belleville, Ontario with his wife Maureen. He also has four children: Gordon, Melissa, Ryan, and Sarah.

On April 9, 2008 Rexe sat down to watch Game 1 of the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Penguins and the Ottawa Senators. He predicted that the Penguins would win the series 6-2. The Pens would go on to win the series 4-0.

Rexe feels great honor in being the first ever pick of the Penguins. I never played for them, but it was a great honour. Rexe told the Ottawa Sun in April 2008 that he would be honored if the Pens would have him there to drop the first puck when they open their new arena. [ [http://ottsun.canoe.ca/News/Columnists/McRae_Earl/2008/04/09/5232566-sun.html ottawasun.com - Earl McRae - A Penguin from the first to the last ] ]

References