Phil Russell

[BobbyAwe]

I remember him by reputation as a tough guy and pretty good player but didn't recall any fight footage so I looked this up...




There's about 7 fights here and I have to say I'm very UNDER-whelmed. He didn't win ANY of them (IMO) Most were draws because he seemingly chose to initiate hugfests? He definitely lost one badly to O'Reilly and one clearly to Richter, but most of the others were inconsequential and it seemed that he was fighting for a draw in all of them? Was this guy fake or did they pick all his worst scraps to make a vid of?

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[Dan Kelly]

he didn't win one fight did he?

 

[Howie Hodge]

Russell was a willing fighter, especially early in his career. Big and strong, he could handle himself.

Was he an elite fighter? No he wasn't. In all fairness, the clip shows him with some good fighters.

He wasn't a goon though.

He was a good skating defenseman, who was an honest player with an edge, and gave you a little offense, 9 golas 27 assists a year type. Had a couple good offensive seasons, but that wasn't his strength per se.

One of those nice guys off the ice - no nonsense players on the ice.

 

[BobbyAwe]

he didn't win one fight did he?

Now you made me go watch the vid again The only fights he might have won was if you gave him points for wrestling. He was obviously just satisfied to tie his opponents up. Now I know he is credited with about 60 other career fights so I'm wondering if the ones on the vid are indicative of his overall record? If not, why would someone make a vid of fight highlights of him and not include some fights that he clearly won?