Peter Russell (ice hockey)

Russell made his debut with the Ayr Raiders during 1990 in the British Hockey League. In 1992 Pete moved to the British Division 1, the country's then-second tier league, playing for the Medway Bears, Dumfries Vikings, Blackburn Hawks, Slough Jets and the Paisley Pirates. In 1996, Russell played for the Castlereagh Knights followed by a second spell with the Paisley Pirates again. He then played one game for the Nottingham Panthers in the British Ice Hockey Superleague before retiring at the age of 24.

On 22 April 2015, Russell was announced as the head coach of the Milton Keynes Lightning for the 2015–16 season replacing the previous long-term coach Nick Poole. He led them to memorable playoff and cup double in the 2016-17 season, before leading them in their inaugural season in the Elite League. In February 2018, the Lightning announced that Russell would leave the team at the end of the season.[1]

On 8 April 2018, Russell was announced as head coach of the Glasgow Clan, replacing John Tripp.[2]

Between 2003 and 2015, he led GB's junior sides to seven medals at World Championship tournaments, including four gold medals. Since taking over Great Britain Men in 2014-15, Russell led GB to two successive silver medals at the World Championship Division I Group B in his first two seasons in charge of the national team. In 2017, he won gold on home ice and promotion to the second tier.[3] In 2018, he led GB to a memorable gold in Hungary in the World Championship Division I Group A to secure a top-flight World Championship place for 2019.[4]

In May 2019, it was announced that Russell had left the Glasgow Clan, and would be joining EHC Freiburg in the DEL2, taking over from Jan Melichar.[5]