Russ Priestley: Hockey and Cartoons

Melrose resident Russ Priestley played collegiate hockey for the powerhouse Illinois in the early 1940's. That's correct, Illinois was a hockey powerhouse. Illinois was the only team to beat Dartmouth in 1942. Priestley left Illinois to join Boston Junior Olympics and won the National Amateur Championship. The following season was spent with the Boston Olympics of the Eastern League. Priestley's brother, Bob, was also a member of the team. Bob joined the ice hockey team as soon as the football season wrapped up for the Philadelphia Eagles. Bob Priestley graduated from Brown University before playing a season of professional football with the Eagles.
Russ Priestley signed up for the Air Corps Pilot Training program and was not called to active duty until March 1943. Priestley was pushed through the program in nine months- the shortest time period ever for a pilot. He didn't touch a pair of skates for 3 1/2 years.
Priestley's career was spent as a cartoonist working out of Boston. His clients included advertisement agencies, insurance companies, manufactuerers and many others. Today, Priestley remains active as editor and writer for the Melrose Mirror, a monthly journal.