Russ Anderson

For other people named Russ Anderson, see Russ Anderson (disambiguation).

Russ Anderson
Born	(1955-02-12) February 12, 1955 Minneapolis, MN, USA
Height	6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight	210 lb (95 kg; 15 st 0 lb)
Position	Defense
Shot	Left
Played for	Pittsburgh Penguins Hartford Whalers Los Angeles Kings
NHL Draft	31st overall, 1975 Pittsburgh Penguins
WHA Draft	22nd overall, 1975 Winnipeg Jets
Playing career	1976–1985

Russell Vincent Anderson (born February 12, 1955) is an American retired professional ice hockey defenseman who played 519 games in the National Hockey League between 1976 and 1985. Anderson was a member of the United States National team at the 1977 Ice Hockey World Championships.

Early life

He played high school hockey for Minneapolis Washburn High School where he was also a standout football player. After getting a scholarship to play college football for the University of Minnesota Anderson found himself injured with a torn Achilles tendon. Thinking his athletic career was over, Herb Brooks came to the training room and told Anderson to try out for the Gopher hockey team. Russ Anderson made the team and ended up winning a NCAA Championship in 1976.

Playing career

Russ Anderson, nicknamed "Andy" played hockey in the NHL from 1976 until 1985. He played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Hartford Whalers, and Los Angeles Kings. He was also a member of the United States National team at the 1977 Ice Hockey World Championships.

Personal life

In May 1978, Anderson married Miss America 1977 Dorothy Benham. The couple have four children together; Adam, Russ, Ben, and Mia. Anderson and Benham were married for several years before divorcing. He now is remarried to Diane Anderson and they reside in Connecticut.

Career statistics

				Regular Season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1976–77	Hershey Bears	AHL		11	0	4	4	35		—	—	—	—	—
1976–77	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL		66	2	11	13	81		3	0	1	1	14
1977–78	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL		74	2	16	18	150		—	—	—	—	—
1978–79	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL		72	3	13	16	93		2	0	0	0	0
1979–80	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL		76	5	22	27	150		5	0	2	2	14
1980–81	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL		34	3	14	17	112		—	—	—	—	—
1981–82	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL		31	0	1	1	98		—	—	—	—	—
1981–82	Hartford Whalers	NHL		25	1	3	4	85		—	—	—	—	—
1982–83	Hartford Whalers	NHL		57	0	6	6	171		—	—	—	—	—
1983–84	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		70	5	12	17	126		—	—	—	—	—
1984–85	New Haven Nighthawks	AHL		6	0	2	2	2		—	—	—	—	—
1984–85	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		14	1	1	2	20		—	—	—	—	—
NHL Totals				519	22	99	121	1086		10	0	3	3	28

Preceded by Dave Keon

Hartford Whalers captain 1982–83

Succeeded by Mark Johnson

Transactions

• On June 3, 1975 the Pittsburgh Penguins selected Russ Anderson in the second-round (No.31 overall) in the 1975 NHL draft.
• On December 29, 1981 the Pittsburgh Penguins traded Russ Anderson and a 1983 eighth-round pick (No.143-Chris Duperron) to the Hartford Whalers in exchange for Rick MacLeish.
• On June 1, 1983 the Hartford Whalers released Russ Anderson.
• On September 2, 1983 the Los Angeles Kings signed free agent Russ Anderson to a multi-year contract.

External links

• Russ Anderson's biography at Legends of Hockey
• Russ Anderson's career statistics at The Internet Hockey Database
• Russ Anderson at Hockey-Reference.com