Robbie Russo
{{short description|American ice hockey defenseman (born 1993)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2015}}
{{Infobox ice hockey player
| name = Robbie Russo
| image = {{CSS image crop |Image=AHL (32221299850).jpg |bSize=600 |cWidth=230 |cHeight=310 |oTop=60 |oLeft=230 |Location=center}}
| image_size = 230px
| caption = Russo with the Grand Rapids Griffins in 2017
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|02|15}}
| birth_place = Westmont, Illinois, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 0
| weight_lb = 191
| position = Defense
| shoots = Right
| league = AHL
| team = Tucson Roadrunners
| prospect_team =
| prospect_league =
| former_teams = Detroit Red Wings
| draft = 95th overall
| draft_year = 2011
| draft_team = New York Islanders
| career_start = 2011
| career_end =
}}
Robbie Victor Russo (born February 15, 1993) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the Tucson Roadrunners of the American Hockey League (AHL). Russo was selected in the fourth round (95th overall) by the New York Islanders in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
Playing career
=Amateur=
Russo played for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program during the 2009–10 and 2010–11 seasons. As a member of the USA Under-17 team in 2009–10, Russo recorded seven goals and 24 assists in 52 games. As a member of the USA Under-18 team in 2010–11, Russo served as team captain, where he ranked sixth in team scoring with four goals and 26 assists in 60 games.{{cite web | url = http://www.und.com/sports/m-hockey/mtt/robbie_russo_763701.html | title = Robbie Russo Bio | publisher = CBS Interactive | work = und.com | date = August 16, 2015 | access-date = August 16, 2015}}
=College=
In 2011, Russo enrolled at the University of Notre Dame and skated four seasons with the NCAA Division I Fighting Irish men's ice hockey team. During his freshman season, Russo recorded four goals and 11 assists, in 40 games. Among CCHA rookies, Russo tied for 15th in overall scoring and was the top freshmen defenseman in scoring with 15 points. He recorded his first career collegiate point with an assist on October 8, and recorded his first career collegiate goal on October 28, 2011. Following an outstanding rookie season, he was named to the 2011–12 CCHA All-Rookie Team, and named Notre Dame's rookie of the year.
During his sophomore season, he led the Fighting Irish defensemen in scoring with five goals and 18 assists in 41 games, and was second among CCHA defensemen with 23 points. He was named the CCHA Gladiator defensive player of the week for the week ending November 19, 2012, after recording two goals and an assist in a two-game sweep against Michigan. That marked the first time since February 3–4, 1978 that the Irish had won a series at Yost Ice Arena.{{cite web | url = http://www.und.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/111912aad.html | title = Robbie Russo And Steven Summerhays Honored by the CCHA | publisher = CBS Interactive | work = und.com | date = November 19, 2012 | access-date = November 19, 2012}} He helped lead Notre Dame to the 2013 CCHA Tournament championship.
During his junior season, Russo recorded four goals and 11 assists in 21 games, before being declared academically ineligible in January 2014.{{cite web | url = http://www.uscho.com/2014/01/19/notre-dame-defenseman-russo-ruled-academically-ineligible/ | title = Notre Dame defenseman Russo ruled academically ineligible | publisher = USCHO | date = January 19, 2014 | access-date = January 19, 2014}} He was named to the Shillelagh Tournament All-Tournament Team.{{cite web | url = http://www.und.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/112614aaa.html | title = It's Shillelagh Tournament Time | publisher = CBS Interactive | work = und.com | date = November 26, 2014 | access-date = November 26, 2014}}
During his senior season, Russo recorded 15 goals and 26 assists in 40 games. His 15 goals were tied for first, along with Joey LaLeggia, among all defensemen in goals scored, while his 41 points were ranked second, one point shy of Mike Reilly for the national league among all defensemen. Russo's 41 points were the most by a Hockey East defenseman since at least the 2000–01 season. Russo was named the Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week for the week ending December 8, 2014.{{cite web | url = http://www.und.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/120814aaa.html | title = Robbie Russo Takes Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week Honors | publisher = CBS Interactive | work = und.com | date = December 8, 2014 | access-date = December 8, 2014}} He was named to the Florida College Hockey Classic All-Tournament Team, after blocking four shots, and posting a +3 plus-minus during the tournament.{{cite web | url = http://www.und.com/sports/m-hockey/recaps/122914aab.html | title = Irish Fall To Lake Superior State, 2–1, In Florida College Hockey Classic Championship | publisher = CBS Interactive | work = und.com | date = December 29, 2014 | access-date = December 29, 2014}}
On January 18, 2015, Russo recorded the only hat-trick in the nation by a defenseman, becoming the first Notre Dame defenseman to do so since Frank O'Brien on February 20, 1988. Russo was named the Hockey East Player of the Week for the week ending January 19, 2015.{{cite web | url = http://www.und.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/011915aab.html | title = Robbie Russo Named Hockey East Player of the Week | publisher = CBS Interactive | work = und.com | date = January 19, 2015 | access-date = January 19, 2015}} On February 12, 2015, he was named a team captain.{{cite web | url = http://www.und.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/041015aaa.html | title = Robbie Russo Named CCM Hockey All-America | publisher = CBS Interactive | work = und.com | date = April 10, 2015 | access-date = April 10, 2015}} Following an outstanding senior season, Russo was named to the 2014–15 Hockey East First All-Star Team, the East Second-Team All-American, and CCM Hockey All-American. Russo became the fifth Notre Dame defenseman to earn All-America honors and the first since Ian Cole in 2009.{{cite web | url = http://www.und.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/031915aaa.html | title = Hinostroza, Russo Named First-Team All-Hockey East | publisher = CBS Interactive | work = und.com | date = March 19, 2015 | access-date = March 19, 2015}}
=Professional=
On August 16, 2015, Russo signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Detroit Red Wings.{{cite web | url = http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_red_wings_sign_defense_6.html | title = Detroit Red Wings sign defenseman Robbie Russo, free agent from Notre Dame | publisher = MLive | first = Ansar | last = Khan | date = August 16, 2015 | access-date = August 16, 2015}} Russo was named the CCM/AHL Player of the Week for the week ending February 28, 2016. Russo recorded two goals and five assists, along with a plus-8 rating as the Grand Rapids Griffins finished the week a perfect 4–0. He became the second Griffins defenseman ever to earn the player of the week honor, following Clay Wilson on December 26, 2005.{{cite web | url = http://griffinshockey.com/news/releases/?article_id=3336 | title = Russo Named CCM/AHL Player of the Week | publisher = Grand Rapids Griffins | date = February 29, 2016 | access-date = February 29, 2016}}
During the 2015–16 season, Russo recorded five goals and 34 assists in 65 games for the Griffins, while posting a league-leading plus-47 rating that is tied for the highest mark by an AHL player since 1993. Following an outstanding rookie season, he was named to the 2015–16 AHL All-Rookie Team, and the AHL Second All-Star Team.{{cite web | url = http://redwings.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=877520 | title = Russo named to AHL all-rookie team | publisher = Detroit Red Wings | date = April 6, 2016 | access-date = April 6, 2016}}
On March 6, 2017, Russo was recalled by the Detroit Red Wings. He made his NHL debut the following evening, on March 7, in a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Prior to being recalled, Russo recorded seven goals and 24 assists in 56 games for the Griffins.{{cite web | url = https://www.nhl.com/redwings/news/red-wings-recall-robbie-russo/c-287428044 | title = Red Wings recall Robbie Russo | publisher = Detroit Red Wings | first = Kyle | last = Kujawa | date = March 6, 2017 | access-date = March 6, 2017}} Following the conclusion of the Red Wings season, Russo was assigned to the Griffins. Russo appeared in 19 games for the Red Wings, averaging 16:04 time on ice and recording 18 shots on goal, 24 hits and 13 blocked shots.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/redwings/news/four-assigned-to-griffins/c-288651284 | title = Red Wings assign four to Griffins | publisher = Detroit Red Wings | first = Kyle | last = Kujawa | date = April 10, 2017 | access-date = April 10, 2017}} On September 5, 2017, the Red Wings signed Russo to a two-year contract extension.{{cite web|title=Red Wings agree to terms with defenseman Robbie Russo|url=https://www.nhl.com/redwings/news/red-wings-agree-to-terms-with-defenseman-robbie-russo/c-290868078|publisher=Detroit Red Wings|first=Kyle|last=Kujawa|date=September 5, 2017|access-date=September 5, 2017}}
On June 24, 2018, the Red Wings traded Russo to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for a conditional seventh-round draft pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.{{cite web|title=Detroit Acquires Conditional Draft Pick From Arizona for Robbie Russo|url=https://www.nhl.com/redwings/news/defenseman-skated-in-19-games-for-detroit-during-2016-17-season/c-299261242|publisher=Detroit Red Wings|first=Kyle|last=Kujawa|date=June 24, 2018|access-date=June 25, 2018}} He spent the entirety of the 2018–19 season with the Coyotes' American League affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners.
On June 5, 2019, the Coyotes re-signed Russo to a one-year, two-way contract extension.{{cite web | url = https://www.nhl.com/coyotes/news/coyotes-sign-russo-to-one-year-contract--arizona-coyotes/c-307723592 | title = Coyotes Sign Russo to One-Year Contract | publisher = Arizona Coyotes |date = June 5, 2019 | access-date = June 9, 2019}}
Following two seasons within the Coyotes organization, Russo left the club as a free agent leading into the pandemic delayed 2020–21 season. Unable to secure an NHL contract, Russo agreed to a professional tryout deal with the San Jose Barracuda of the AHL on January 14, 2021.{{cite web| url = http://www.sjbarracuda.com/news/detail/barracuda-sign-three-players-to-professional-tryout-agreements | title = Barracuda sign three players to PTO's | publisher = San Jose Barracuda | date = January 14, 2021 | access-date = January 14, 2021}} In the shortened 2020–21 season, Russo contributed with 2 goals and 15 points through 34 regular season games.
As a free agent following his stint with the Barracuda, Russo secured an NHL contract in agreeing to a two-year, two-way contract with the New Jersey Devils on July 29, 2021.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/nj-devils-ahl-nhl-free-agency-joe-gambardella-brian-flynn-robbie-russo-chase-deleo/c-325870792 | title = Devils sign four players to two-way deals | publisher = New Jersey Devils | date = July 29, 2021 | accessdate = July 29, 2021}}
On May 19, 2023, Russo signed a one-year contract with the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League (AHL).{{cite web |title=Gambardella and Russo to return to Comets next season |url=https://www.uticacomets.com/news/detail/gambardella-and-russo-to-return-to-comets |website=uticacomets.com |access-date=May 21, 2023 |date=May 19, 2023}}
After three seasons with the Comets, Russo left as a free agent and returned to former AHL club, the Tucson Roadrunners, signing a one-year contract on July 10, 2024.{{cite web| url = https://www.tucsonroadrunners.com/news/robbie-russo-returns-to-roadrunners/ | title = Robbie Russo returns to Roadrunners | publisher = Tucson Roadrunners | date = July 10, 2024 | accessdate = July 10, 2024 }}
International play
{{MedalTableTop|name = }}
{{MedalCountry | {{ih|USA}}}}
{{Medal|Sport|Ice hockey}}
{{MedalCompetition|World U-17 Hockey Challenge}}
{{MedalGold|2010 Canada|}}
{{Medal|Competition|IIHF World U18 Championship}}
{{MedalGold|2011 Germany|}}
{{MedalBottom}}
Russo represented the United States at the 2011 IIHF U18 Championships, where he was captain, and helped lead his team to a gold medal. He recorded one goal and seven assists in six games, including setting up the overtime game-winning goal in the gold medal game against Sweden. He was named one of Team USA's top three players of the tournament.
Career statistics
=Regular season and playoffs=
| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em;" | ||||||||
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! colspan="5"|Regular season ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! colspan="5" | Playoffs | ||||||||
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! Season ! Team ! League ! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM | ||||||||
| 2009–10
| U.S. National Development Team | USHL | 34 | 3 | 17 | 20 | 36
| — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2010–11 | U.S. National Development Team | USHL | 24 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 11
| — | — | — | — | — |
| 2011–12
| CCHA | 40 | 4 | 11 | 15 | 14
| — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2012–13 | Notre Dame | CCHA | 41 | 5 | 18 | 23 | 40
| — | — | — | — | — |
| 2013–14
| Notre Dame | HE | 21 | 4 | 11 | 15 | 8
| — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2014–15 | Notre Dame | HE | 40 | 15 | 26 | 41 | 20
| — | — | — | — | — |
| 2015–16
| AHL | 71 | 5 | 34 | 39 | 42
| 9 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 9 |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2016–17 | Grand Rapids Griffins | AHL | 58 | 7 | 25 | 32 | 37
| 19 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 22 |
| 2016–17
| NHL | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2
| — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2017–18 | Grand Rapids Griffins | AHL | 75 | 9 | 23 | 32 | 81
| 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2018–19
| AHL | 67 | 6 | 33 | 39 | 32
| — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2019–20 | Tucson Roadrunners | AHL | 53 | 2 | 17 | 19 | 35
| — | — | — | — | — |
| 2020–21
| AHL | 34 | 2 | 13 | 15 | 14
| 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2021–22 | AHL | 70 | 3 | 32 | 35 | 21
| 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| 2022–23
| Utica Comets | AHL | 72 | 6 | 22 | 28 | 20
| 6 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| bgcolor="f0f0f0"
| 2023–24 | Utica Comets | AHL | 69 | 4 | 26 | 30 | 53
| — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" | NHL totals ! 19 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 2 ! — | — | — | — | — |
=International=
| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:40em" |
| ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! Year ! Team ! Event ! Result ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! GP ! G ! A ! Pts ! PIM |
| 2010
| U17 | {{gold1}} | 6 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 4 |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2011 | United States | U18 | {{gold1}} | 6 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 4 |
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="4" | Junior totals ! 12 ! 4 ! 9 ! 13 ! 8 |
Awards and honors
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Ice hockey stats}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Russo, Robbie}}
Category:AHCA Division I men's ice hockey All-Americans
Category:American men's ice hockey defensemen
Category:Detroit Red Wings players
Category:Ice hockey players from Illinois
Category:Grand Rapids Griffins players
Category:New York Islanders draft picks
Category:Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's ice hockey players
Category:People from Westmont, Illinois
Category:Sportspeople from DuPage County, Illinois
Category:San Jose Barracuda players
Category:Tucson Roadrunners players
Category:USA Hockey National Team Development Program players