Feb 11, 2026 8:14 PM
Frank Becerra Jr./The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORKDuring the 1946-47 season Church Russell was the "People's Choice" among the Rangers prospects.
Blond, speedy and enthusiastic, he hit for 20 goals, a rare feat for a rookie.
He came to the Rangers from their Rovers farm team, along with center Cal Gardner and left wing Rene Trudell.
The trio was nicknamed "The Atomic Line" and showed great promise – for a short time.
Trudell was getting old and Russell developed an aversion for play along the boards. Since manager-coach Frank Boucher could not find a vaccine to cure that Church wound up as "The People's Choice" for the AHL Cleveland Barons and never skated on NHL ice again.
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