Edmonton Oil Kings Zach Russell (29) is pushed into Regina Pats goaltender Max Paddock by Garrett Wright and Liam Schioler during first period WHL action on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018, in Edmonton. Zach Russell chose school over hockey this September and quickly regretted the decision. So having been in talks with the Edmonton Oil Kings this summer, the six-foot, 201-pound winger approached the Western Hockey League team in November about joining the squad. Riddled with injuries, the Oil Kings took Russell up on the offer and there have been few regrets since. “I was in touch with (Oil Kings GM) Kirt Hill over the summer and I had plans to come here at the start of the year, but then I chose school, and over time, I kept missing the game,” Russell said. “I couldn’t sleep at night, I was just thinking about hockey all the time and so I gave Kirt a call and he said there would be an opportunity here, so I’m glad I did it.” Russell played in the Alberta Junior Hockey League with the Calgary Canucks last season, scoring 16 goals and collecting 36 points in 43 games. He had split time with the […]
