Russell Vincent "Russ" Anderson (born February 12, 1955) is an American former 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 Washburn High School in Minneapolis 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 an 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 While playing with the Penguins, Anderson married Miss America 1977 Dorothy Benham. The couple had four children together. 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 and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1972–73 Washburn High School HS-MN — — — — — — — — — — 1973–74 Washburn High School HS-MN — — — — — — — — — — 1974–75 University of Minnesota WCHA 30 2 7 9 56 — — — — — 1975–76 University of Minnesota WCHA 28 0 5 5 81 — — — — — 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
International Year Team Event GP G A Pts PIM 1977 United States WC 10 0 0 0 16 Senior totals 10 0 0 0 16
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.
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