Player's Profile
Picture Courtesy of whl.ca
- Name: Ryan Russell
- Position: C
- Shoots: Left
- Height: 5-10
- Weight: 180 lbs
- Birthdate: 1987-05-02
- Eligible for Draft: 2005
- Drafted:
- Hometown: Caroline, Alberta
- Acquired: Trade with NY Rangers, 2007
- Playing In: Pro
Ryan Russell
Prospect Grade: 5.0 B (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: HF Staff
History
Twin brother of Columbus Blue Jackets prospect and Medicine Hat Tigers defenseman Kris Russell, Ryan Russell joined his kin as a draftee when the New York Rangers selected him 211th overall. The selection may inevitably re-unite Russell with his teammate and captain in Kootenay Nigel Dawes, who has skated his last game with the Ice. An alternative scoring option to Dawes, Russell managed to produce at a nice clip offensively in 2004-05, registering 53 points, in 66 games. Russell’s 32 goals on the season placed him just one shy of Brandon Wheat Kings forward Ryan Stone for a finish among the league’s top ten. Russell also finished third on the team in plus/minus with a +27 rating, also good enough for a top 15 finish among league leaders.
211st overall, 2005 Entry Draft, by NY Rangers
2007-08: Russell split time between Hamilton (AHL) and Cincinnati (ECHL). In 25 AHL appearances, he recorded three points (2+1) for the Bulldogs. In Cincinnati, he dressed for 12 games, totaling 10 points (6+4) during the regular season and an additional seven (3+4) in 15 playoff games.
Talent Analysis
Russell, much like his brother in Medicine Hat, provides an excellent offensive game on the ice. With strong vision and passing, Russell is also an excellent skater and isn’t afraid to shoot the puck, which he does with great accuracy. Russell’s only knock, though, is also one he shares with his brother. Being undersized at 5’9, 165lbs, Ryan is by no means considered a sure offensive threat, even at the next level of play, where physical play intensifies even more than that at the Western League level.
Future
Should Russell be able to, at the very least, improve his overall strength, both upper body and lower, he’ll greatly increase his chances of finding success at another level.
Stats
| SEASON | TEAM | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | PIM |
| 2003-04 | Kootenay Ice (WHL) | 67 | 3 | 9 | 12 | -7 | 27 |
| 2004 | Kootenay Ice (WHL) | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2004-05 | Kootenay Ice (WHL) | 66 | 32 | 21 | 53 | +27 | 18 |
| 2005 | Kootenay Ice (WHL) | 16 | 6 | 7 | 13 | +5 | 12 |
| 2005-06 | Kootenay Ice (WHL) | 72 | 33 | 42 | 75 | +17 | 30 |
| 2006 | Kootenay Ice (WHL) | 6 | 3 | 5 | 8 | -2 | 2 |
| 2006-07 | Kootenay Ice (WHL) | 58 | 30 | 46 | 76 | +24 | 40 |
| 2007 | Kootenay Ice (WHL) | 7 | 3 | 6 | 9 | +6 | 2 |
Profile Last Updated: February, 15th 2009
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