Playing Career
Russell was drafted in the 3rd round, 67th overall, by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. After playing an additional highly decorated two seasons with the Medicine Hat Tigers, Russell made his NHL debut with Columbus during the 2007–08 season, scoring two goals while appearing in 67 games. Both goals were scored, including his first NHL goal, on January 22, 2008 against Mike Smith of the Dallas Stars.
He appeared in 66 games the following season and also appeared in all four games of Columbus' first ever playoff appearance against the Detroit Red Wings, who won the series in a sweep. Russell scored a goal during the deciding Game 4.
In the 2011–12 season, Russell struggled for form and early injury and was traded to the St. Louis Blues for defenseman Nikita Nikitin on November 10, 2011. Re-juvenated from the trade, Russell made an immediate impact with the league leading Blues, establishing a regular role among the blueline.
With the 2012–13 NHL lockout cancelling the start to the season proper, Russell signed a lockout contract with TPS of the Finnish SM-liiga on September 26, 2012. In suffering a knee injury in only his second game, Russell returned to North America for rehab. After recovering from a slight MCL sprain, Russell re-joined TPS on Ocotber 16 and throughout the duration of the lockout scored 14 points in 15 games.
Read more about this topic: Kris Russell
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