Joey Russell was born on June 24, 1988 in Labrador City, Newfoundland. He started skating in 1994 and currently trains with Lee Barkell and Dough Leigh in Barrie, Ontario. He is the 2006 Junior Canadian Champion and his highest placement on the ISU Junior Grand Prix Circuit is fourth overall in Budapest in 2006. At his first appearance at the ISU World Junior Championships, Joey placed eleventh overall in 2007.