If any member of the Airdrie Thunder knows the bounces of the Ron Ebbesen Arena better than anyone else, it’s Ryan Russell.
The veteran defenceman grew up in the city, played his minor hockey at the rink and has now grown accustom to the wares of the Heritage Junior Hockey League (HJHL).
Russell, 21, is nearing completion of his fourth and final year with the Thunder and said he hopes the team can rally in the next few weeks to secure a spot in the playoffs.
“I’ve met a lot of good guys and this has probably been the best four years,” Russell said. “There have been lots of good experiences. But being my last year, it’s kind of an emotional year. Going up and down in the standings kind of sucks and leaves me on edge a little. I want to finish strong. I want to finish at the top of the league and have something to brag about.”
Airdrie is currently in a three-way tie for third spot in the HJHL’s North Division with the Blackfalds Wranglers and Mountainview Colts. The playoff format this year will see the No. 4 seed and No. 5 seed play a one-game showdown to become the official No. 4 seed.
The Thunder recently had an eight-game unbeaten streak and Russell has eight points in 29 games this season.
He missed the start of the season after fracturing his ankle during the second skate at training camp in August. He returned for two games, then pulled his hamstring.
He also left the 4-1 win over Blackfalds on Jan. 20 with a groin injury and didn’t play against the Thrashers in Three Hills on Jan. 21.
“It is hard to miss time. I want to play as much of this hockey as I possibly can,” said Russell, who is studying to be a mechanic and is currently conducting an apprenticeship at Cam Clark Ford in Airdrie.
“He makes a good first pass, so having him out of the lineup does force us to make an adjustment,” said Thunder head coach Mike Carlsen.
“He’s one of our stronger penalty killers. He’s physical; he’s not the biggest guy, but he’ll get involved when he can.”
Carlsen replaced Art Krusel earlier this season, who replaced Darryl Einarson midway through the 2010-11 season. When Krusel left, due to medical reasons the first time last year, current assistant coach Gareth Barley led the team in the playoffs.
With all of the coaching changes, Russell said it’s been hard to adjust to.
“You come into a season with one and finish it with a third coach,” he said. “There have been some changes – and some for the better. It is sad to see what happened to Art and I wish he could still be with the team, but he’s obviously got to look after his health.”
Russell said the team has been able to respond this season because they are such a tight knit group.
“We like to spend as much time as we can together and everyone gets along really well. I’ll miss that when the season ends.”
