- Russ Courtnall
Infobox Ice Hockey Player
image_size = 200px
position = Right Wing
played_for =Toronto Maple Leafs Montreal Canadiens Minnesota North Stars Dallas Stars Vancouver Canucks New York Rangers Los Angeles Kings
shot =
height_ft = 5
height_in = 11
weight_lb = 175
nickname =
nationality = CAN
birth_date = birth date and age|1965|1|2
birth_place = Duncan, BC, CAN
draft = 7th overall
draft_year = 1983
draft_team =Toronto Maple Leafs
career_start = 1983
career_end = 1999
halloffame =Russ Courtnall (born
January 2 , 1965) is a formerNational Hockey League player. He played for theToronto Maple Leafs ,Montreal Canadiens ,Minnesota North Stars ,Dallas Stars ,Vancouver Canucks ,New York Rangers andLos Angeles Kings Courtnall was born in
Duncan, British Columbia . Coming out of junior hockey, Russ Courtnall was considered one of the top prospects in 1983 and theToronto Maple Leafs selected him seventh overall in the Entry DraftIn 1982–83, Courtnall scored 36 goals and 61 assists for 97 points in 60 games. After being drafted by the Leafs, Courtnall appeared in just 32 games with the Cougars, scoring 29 goals and 66 points before being called up to the Maple Leafs, who were in dire need of scoring help at the time. As a rookie with Toronto, he scored 12 goals and 22 points in 69 games. Although his goal production was not as high as the Leafs had hoped for, his speed opened up opportunities, especially for his linemates.
In 1984, Courtnall also suited up for the Canadian Olympic team, which finished out of the medals at the Sarajevo Games. Upon returning, he rejoined the Maple Leafs. In 1985–86,(playing alongside fellow
Notre Dame Hounds alumniGary Leeman and rookieWendel Clark on what was dubbedThe Hound Line ) Courtnall broke the 20-goal barrier, notching 22 to go along with 38 assists for 60 points. His offensive numbers improved the following year with 29 goals and 73 points.In trying to force Courtnall to play a tougher brand of hockey, the club saw his offensive production decrease in 1987–88. After just nine games in 1989–89, the Maple Leafs dealt Courtnall to the
Montreal Canadiens forJohn Kordic . Although Courtnall's stock had clearly gone down tremendously, most observers felt Montreal got a steal in that trade.In 64 games, Courtnall put up 39 points with the Habs, but his fast skating and stickhandling abilities made him a fan favourite. Courtnall saved his best performance for the
playoffs , where the Canadiens advanced all the way to theStanley Cup finals before losing to theCalgary Flames . In 21 post-season games, Courtnall contributed eight goals and 13 points.Courtnall enjoyed another two-and-a-half years in Montreal before joining the
Minnesota North Stars for the 1992–93 season. In 84 games, he managed a career-high 36 goals and 43 assists for 79 points. He followed that up with an 80-point season in the team's first year of play in Dallas. Late in the 1994–95 season, Courtnall was traded to theVancouver Canucks where he teamed with his brother,Geoff Courtnall , for 13 games that year.In 1997–98, Courtnall signed as a
free agent with theLos Angeles Kings , where he played until hisretirement following the 1998–99 season. He finished with 297 goals, 447 assists and 744 points in a 15-year NHL career.Transactions
*November 7, 1989- Traded by the
Toronto Maple Leafs to theMontreal Canadiens in exchange forJohn Kordic and Montreal's 1989 6th round draft choice (Mike Doers).*August 31, 1992- Traded by the Montreal Canadiens to the
Minnesota North Stars in exchange forBrian Bellows .*June 9, 1993- Rights transferred to the
Dallas Stars after the Minnesota North Stars relocated.*April 7, 1995- Traded by the Dallas Stars to the
Vancouver Canucks in exchange for Greg Adams,Dan Kesa and Vancouver's 1995 5th round draft choice.*March 8, 1997- Traded by the Vancouver Canucks, along with
Esa Tikkanen , to theNew York Rangers in exchange forSergei Nemchinov andBrian Noonan .*November 7, 1997- Signed as a free agent with the
Los Angeles Kings .Trivia
* Courtnall formed the "Hound Line" with
Gary Leeman andWendel Clark while helping the Leafs come within a game of the semi-finals.* Today, Courtnall resides in Westlake Village, California, with his wife, and 3 kids.
External links
*legendsofhockey|10302
*hockeydb|1126
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