Frank Becerra Jr./The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/f4f0c354-1181-4fff-b275-ef40925576c2.jpeg] Frank Becerra Jr./The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK During the 1946-47 season Church Russell was the "People's Choice" among the Rangers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-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.
