Trying Out for a Part He Would Love to Play

It didn't take much convincing to get his parents to move to Vancouver so he could play for the Richmond Sockeyes, a Junior B league team.

"That was a really big commitment for my parents," Wyatt said. "I can't thank them for what they did for me. They put their lives on hold so I could play hockey at a higher level."

Russell's stock spiked significantly last season after leading the Sockeyes to the Junior B Provincial title and the silver medal at the Western Canadian Junior B Championships. With a league-best 21 victories and four shutouts, Russell earned most outstanding goaltender honors and was promoted to Junior A.

Although Russell admits he has much improving to do before he'll be polished enough to earn a shot at a scholarship to a top university or the chance to play professionally, he hasn't looked totally out of place skating alongside Washington's top prospects. Some of them, like Brian Sutherby, Boyd Gordon and Steve Eminger, have spent time with the Capitals. He's also faced shots from NHL veteran Jeff Halpern.

"It's tough to say how good he is until you see him in game action, with traffic in front," Halpern said. "But he's making saves look easy, and that's a good sign for a young goalie."

Capitals goalie coach Dave Prior said: "He's probably older than what most people would consider a prospect. It looks like he's going to need to advance to the college level. But one thing is for sure, he doesn't look in over his head, and that's important."

Russell's face reflects a little of both his parents, who could not be reached through their publicists. His Southern California upbringing is just as pronounced, and his surfer blond hair and laid-back persona contrast with the rough-edged Canadian and reserved European-reared players in Washington's camp. But Russell shares something in common with Chris Bourque, the Capitals' second-round draft choice a month ago who also has a famous parent -- hockey Hall of Fame inductee Ray Bourque.

"I guess Chris and I are kind of in the same boat," Russell said."Whenever we walk into a room, people say there is so-and-so's son. By now, we've both learned to deal with it. It's never a disadvantage. People watch us and pay more attention to us because of the name on our back.

"I love my parents, but I'm hoping to make a name for myself with my play," Russell continued. "Sometimes it's hard. But I can't change my name. That's my life, and I love it."

Asked why he chose to play goal, Russell joked: "It might be some weird psychological thing. I can kind of hide behind my mask so maybe people see you because of your play."

But his play isn't what anyone has wanted to talk to him about this week. The questions from television crews mostly have been about his parents' acting careers. He was asked which parent did a better job portraying a coach in a movie: Hawn in "Wildcats" or Russell in "Miracle."

"That's a tough one," Wyatt Russell said. "I guess I'll have to go with 'Wildcats.' It was funnier." When "Miracle" was being filmed in Vancouver last year, some of his teammates were extras and doubles. One of them had a non-speaking role. Russell declined an invitation to take part in the film.

"That's not my thing," Russell said.

College, in all likelihood, is going to be the next step for Russell, who graduated from Collingwood School in Vancouver last month. He said he'll probably take a course at a local college while playing junior hockey next winter, then enroll in college the following year. He said he's already heard from coaches at Colgate, Maine and Brown.

"I'm 100 percent positive this is what I want to do," he said. "In three years or four years, I want to be at this level."