Phil Russell was a professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was born on May 18, 1952, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Russell started his hockey career in the Western Canada Hockey League (WCHL) with the Edmonton Oil Kings in the early 1970s.
In 1972, Russell was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round, 11th overall, in the NHL Amateur Draft. He made his NHL debut in the 1972-73 season and played for the Blackhawks for four seasons. During his time with the Blackhawks, Russell established himself as a reliable defenseman and was known for his physical play and strong defensive skills.
In 1977, Russell was traded to the Atlanta Flames, where he played for two seasons. He then played for the Colorado Rockies for two seasons before being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1981. Russell played for the Penguins for four seasons and was named the team's captain in the 1983-84 season.
Russell's best season in the NHL was in the 1984-85 season when he scored 20 goals and 44 assists for a total of 64 points. He was also named to the NHL All-Star team that season. Russell played his final NHL season in 1986-87 with the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he served as the team's captain.
In total, Russell played in 1,064 NHL games, scoring 200 goals and 418 assists for a total of 618 points. He was known for his durability, as he played in 629 consecutive games from 1975 to 1983, which was a record at the time.
After retiring from professional hockey, Russell remained involved in the sport as a coach and scout. He served as an assistant coach for the Pittsburgh Penguins from 1990 to 1992 and was a scout for the team from 1992 to 1997. He also worked as a scout for the Dallas Stars and the Columbus Blue Jackets.
In 2015, Russell was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in recognition of his contributions to the sport of hockey. He currently resides in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and remains involved in the hockey community as a coach and mentor to young players.
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