Joey Russell

Labrador City's Joey Russell is one of the best skaters Newfoundland & Labrador has ever produced.

Joey first gained attention on the national scene when he won silver medals at PreNovice level at the 2003 Junior Canadian Championship, and at the Canada Games. He followed this with another silver medal at novice level at Junior Canadians (finishing behind Patrick Chan). He finally made it to the top of the national podium when he won the Canadian Junior title in 2006. He had an excellent debut in the Senior ranks, competinig at Canadians in Halifax in 2007, and finishing 6th. He became the first Newfoundland & Labrador athlete named to the senior national team. Russell most recently competed at the 2008 BMO Canadian Figure Skating Championships in Vancouver and placed ninth. In 2007 he competed at the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championship and placed eleventh.

Joey turned 20 in June, and is a member of Polaris FSC in Labrador City. He trains at the Mariposa School of Skating and is coached by Lee Barkell. Joey and Lee are recipients of a 2008 grant as part of the Petrocanada Fuelling Athlete and Coaching Excellence program. Joey was named Sport Newfoundland & Labrador's Junior Male Athlete of the Year for three consecutive years (2004-2006).

Joey is a stylish skater, with great ability to present his programmes. He's a popular guest skater at club ice shows, and is always available to help skater development in the province.