Russ Courtnall

Russ Courtnall was Toronto’s first draft pick in 1982.  Incredibly fast (some say one of the fastest skaters ever), Mike Nykoluk called up Courtnall to play for a goal-starved Maple Leaf team in the following season.  He played for the 1984 Canadian Olympic team in Sarajevo and for the Maple Leafs for five more seasons before they traded him to Montreal for John Kordic.  Courtnall’s flashy Cournoyer-esque style made him a fan favourite and helped the Habs reach the 1989 Stanley Cup finals.  He moved to Minnesota in 1992, followed the Stars to Dallas and finished his career off in Vancouver (playing with his brother Geoff) and Los Angeles.  Over 15 seasons, Courtnall amassed 744 points.