RUSS ROMANIUK
Date of Birth: 1970-06-09Date of Induction: 2024
Growing up in Transcona, Russ Romaniuk was a multi-sport athlete, excelling in baseball, football, golf and hockey.
His goal-scoring touch in hockey put him on the roster of the MJHL St. Boniface Saints in 1987. Rookie-of-the-Year and league all-star honours from a 46-goal season would earn Romaniuk a scholarship with the WCHA University of North Dakota.
His goal production continued in the WCHA and by 1988, his scoring skills had caught the attention of the NHL Winnipeg Jets who selected him with the 31st pick of the 1988 NHL draft.
Remaining in North Dakota for 2 more years, in 1990/91 he produced 40 goals and 28 assists in just 39 games and was selected for the 1990/91 All-WCHA First Team and WCHA All-Tournament Team.
Turning pro with the Jets in 1991, Romaniuk would spend 4 years with his hometown Jets before a 1995 trade to the Philadelphia Flyers. His stay in Philadelphia would be brief and he would return to Manitoba to join the IHL Moose.
Traded to Long Beach Ice Dogs in 1987, Romaniuk would follow up with 2 very successful years with the Las Vegas Thunder before heading to Europe, signing with N?rnberg Ice Tigers of the German DEL League.
After a brief return to Houston of the IHL in 2000, Romaniuk headed to Italy for one season followed by a 4-year stint in British hockey. During his career Romaniuk also had 2 tours with the Canadian National Team.
After 14 professional hockey seasons Russ Romaniuk would retire in 2005.