Centre Russ Blinco was a clever goal scorer and playmaker who spent six years in the NHL during the 1930s. In addition to his offensive gifts, he was one of the cleanest players in the league.
Born in Grand'Mere, Quebec, Blinco played with the local Maroons in 1928-29 before joining the Brooklyn Crescents of the USAHA for three years. He scored 13 goals in 28 games with the senior Windsor Bulldogs in 1932-33 before embarking on his NHL career.
Blinco scored 23 points in 31 games for the Montreal Maroons and was presented the Calder trophy in 1934. During his second big-league season he helped the club win its second Stanley Cup. Blinco's exemplary two- way play was complemented by linemates Earl Robinson and Dave Trottier. In 1937, he took part in the Howie Morenz Memorial Game when the Canadiens and Maroons faced off against the NHL all-stars.
The talented forward was a mainstay on the Maroons roster through the 1937-38 season. Prior to 1938-39, he and teammates Baldy Northcott and Earl Robinson were sent to Chicago for cash. The tough economic times of the 1930s which already killed off the Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Pirates had finally claimed the Maroons. Blinco played the full 48-game slate for the Hawks before retiring.
