Russell grew up in Caroline, Alberta, where his father Doug coached him for much of his minor hockey career and converted him into a defenseman when he was 10 years old. He emerged as a top defenseman in the Western Hockey League with Medicine Hat, where he won two championships (2003-04, 2006-07) and was twice named the major junior league's top defenseman (2005-06, 2006-07).

Russell was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the third round (No. 67) of the 2005 NHL Draft. He made his NHL debut with Columbus on Oct. 5, 2007, getting an assist at home against the Anaheim Ducks. Russell scored his first two NHL goals at the Dallas Stars on Jan. 22, 2008.

He played four seasons in Columbus before being traded to the St. Louis Blues on Nov. 11, 2011. After being traded from the Blues to the Calgary Flames on July 5, 2013, Russell became a top-four defenseman paired frequently with Dennis Wideman and helped the Flames advance to the Western Conference Second Round in 2014-15.

Russell was traded to the Stars on Feb. 29, 2016. He signed a one-year contract with the Edmonton Oilers on Oct. 7, 2016 and helped them reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in 11 seasons.

Russell signed a four-year contract with the Oilers on June 23, 2017 after he had 13 points (one goal, 12 assists) in 68 games and led the NHL with 213 blocks. He was activated off long-term injured reserve Feb. 29, 2020 after missing one month.