Date of Birth: 1982
Place of Birth: St. John’s, NL
Inducted: 2022 (Athlete/Builder Category)
Rebecca Russell grew up in Lethbridge, NL and played minor hockey with the Clarenville Area Minor Hockey Association. Rebecca represented the province in numerous national events, including the Canada Winter Games in 1995 as a 12-year-old; and again, as a 17-year-old in 1999.
She left and played her high school career at Berkshire School in Massachusetts, USA. After high school, Rebecca received an NCAA Division One scholarship to St. Lawrence University in New York and was a standout player for the Saints during her four-year tenure. She captained the team in her final year and was a finalist for the Patty Kaizmier trophy, awarded annually to the top female hockey player in the NCAA. Rebecca was also named Athlete of the Year for the entire University in her senior year.
After university, Rebecca’s career took her to in Calgary, AB, where she played five seasons of professional hockey for the Oval Xtreame. Her playing career also included stints with the Canadian National U-22 Team.
After she retired from playing the game in 2009, Rebecca coached at the University of Calgary for one season. From there, Rebecca’s coaching career took her to Penticton, BC where she started an elite female program at the Okanagan Hockey Academy. Rebecca coached the Canadian National U-22 Team at the Meco Cup held in Germany and won a gold medal at the 2011 World Championships with the Canadian National U-18 Team in Finland.
Rebecca has been the Technical Director for the Clarenville & Area Minor Hockey Association, working with players from Under 7 to Under 18.
Most recently Rebecca has become the first women Coach for a NL Senior Men’s Hockey Team, The Clarenville Ford Caribous. In three seasons as the head coach with the Bous, Russell led the team to two Western Hockey League Championship and two Herder Championship finals, becoming the first female to win the Herder in 2018.
