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Russell Oatman was born in Tillsonburg Ontario on February 19th, 1905. From early on, life was not
easy for Russ. His parents died when he was quite young, leaving him to raise his little brother
who he took with him took him on the road to his hockey games. It also made him a strong headed person
who took no BS, and was often seen as a rebel. This was proven when he was suspended by the Detroit
Cougars for insubordination in 1927.
Despite his rough reputation, Oatman was by all accounts a clean and effective left-winger and defenceman.
Russ' first available statistics show that he played for the Minneapolis Rockets of the CHL in 1924. Though
no stats are available, he surely played junior hockey in Ontario before this time. He then headed west to
play with the Victoria Cougars for the 1925-26 season, who had won the Stanley Cup the previous season. Russ
was with the team for the full season as well as 4 Stanley Cup playoff games, in which the Cougars lost the
Cup to . He started the 1926-27 Season with the Cougars, but found himself suspended for subordination following
an unspecified event on January 4th. Two days later he was traded to the Montreal Maroons where he finished
the season.
Most of his time in the NHL was spent as a substitute, having some of his best games playing along
side Joe Lamb with the Maroons. Highlights of his time in Montreal include scoring the winning goal in
overtime in the Canadian Division playoffs against the Canadiens. After 3 grueling scoreless periods, both teams
were exhausted and giving their all before 14,000 Montreal fans. Approaching the half way point of the overtime
period, the Maroons' line charged Canadiens goaltender and Hockey Hall of Fame inductee George Hainsworth.
On a pass from Babe Siebert, Russ had a weak shot which Hainsworth easily stopped, but failed to clean up on
the rebound, and Oatman did miss his chance, tipping in the puck at 8 minutes and 20 seconds into overtime.
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3 NHL Seasons
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20 Goals, 9 Assists
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Born: Feb. 19 1905, Tillsonburg, Ontario
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Died: October 25, 1964
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- Nickname: Russ
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Teams: Cougars, Maroons, Rangers
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