in 1947, the rangers traded him to the cleveland barons for george johnston. russell played two seasons for the barons, then moved on to the pittsburgh hornets for one season and the minor-league vancouver canucks for a season. he played in some playoff games the next season for the winnipeg maroons. he did not play for two seasons, then played a final eight games for the brandon wheat kings senior ice hockey team in the 1954–55 season to finish his playing career.