Ice Pilots Hire Russell As Assistant Coach
May 23, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Pensacola Ice Pilots News Release
PENSACOLA, FL - The Pensacola Ice Pilots announced today that they have hired Phil Russell as an Assistant Coach. Russell, who played 15 seasons in the NHL, will join new Head Coach John Marks behind the Ice Pilots bench this season.
"We are very excited to have a hockey person of this caliber assisting our team this season. Phil has a long history of scouting, recruiting and coaching at all levels of professional and junior hockey," said Ice Pilots President Greg Schuh. "He is simply a great fit to assist John Marks and it shows our commitment to building the best team in the League."
Russell, a hard-nosed defenseman, was the 13th overall pick in the first round of the 1972 Amateur Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks. He spent seven seasons in Chicago, before he was traded to the Atlanta Flames. He went with the team when it moved to Calgary, serving as its Captain for three seasons (1981-1983). Russell was traded two more times in his career; to New Jersey in 1983 and to Buffalo in 1985. His playing career ended with the Kalamazoo Wings of the International Hockey League (IHL) during the 1987-1988 Season. Russell played in three NHL All-Star Games in his career (1976, 1977, and 1985).
After retiring as a player, Russell began an extensive career as a coach and a scout. His first coaching job came with the Muskegon/Cleveland Lumberjacks of the IHL, where he spent three seasons as an assistant coach (1989-1991) and two seasons as Head Coach (1991-1993). Russell shared the Commissioners Trophy with Blair MacDonald as IHL Co-Coaches of the Year in 1989. He spent the next four years (1993-1997) as a Pro Scout for the Pittsburgh Penguins before returning to Chicago, where he served as the Blackhawks Director of Scouting for two seasons (1997-1999). He spent the last two seasons (2004-2006) as an assistant coach with the Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League (AHL).
Don't miss the hard hitting, exciting action, as the Ice Pilots return for their 12th season in Pensacola. 2007-2008 Season Tickets, Mini Plans, and Military Packages are now available through the Ice Pilots office. Call (850) 432-PUCK for more information or to reserve your seats today.
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