Russell played for the Ottawa Hockey Club from 1890 until 1896. He was captain from 1891 through 1893. His best seasons were in 1893–94 and 1894–95 when in both seasons he scored 10 goals in eight games. He left Ottawa after the 1896 season. Starting in the 1898–99 season, Russell played four seasons of professional hockey in the Western Pennsylvania Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Bankers and Pittsburgh Duquesne clubs.
