An all-around defenseman, Jeremy Russell will look to step in immediately to help fill the voids left in the lineup by the graduation of Paul Crosty, Pete LeCain, and Adam Tichauer.

Before Brown: Russell has played for the Drayton Valley Thunder of the AJHL for the past two seasons ... Named Thunder's Best Defenseman, Best Defensive Player, and team MVP at the conclusion of the 2005-2006 season ... An assistant captain last season, he finished third on the team in scoring with 52 points (8g, 44a) in 58 games ... Scored three gamewinning goals and six power-play goals ... Also had 125 PIMS ... Was runner-up for the top defenseman in the AJHL last season ... Named a Second Team All-Star in 2006 and was a member of the AJHL North Viking Cup team, earning a gold medal at the 2006 Viking Cup as an assistant captain ... Named to Canadian Junior "A" Hockey League Prospects game as a member of team "West" in 2005 ... In his first season with Drayton Valley, Russell was named First Team All-Rookie and to the AJHL Prospects game ... Spent the 2003-2004 season with the St. Albert Raiders in the Alberta Midget "AAA" League ... Named League MVP as a captain of the team ... Also named to the All-Star team.

Personal: Jeremy John Russell is the son of Sharon Russell of St. Albert, Alberta ... Born in 1987 ... Jeremy has a sister, Allison ... Member of Executive Council at Bellerose Composite High School ... Interests: Golf, Softball, Weight Lifting ... Major: Undecided.