William ‘Shorty’ Russick was a Russian immigrant who split his time between Flin Flon and The Pas. He worked in a variety of professions, most notably as a dog sled racer. Among his accomplishments were setting the speed record at the 1924 Dog Derby and winning a bronze medal in the 1932 Olympic Games. He retired from racing in 1936 and later owned a number of businesses including the Rupert House Hotel in The Pas.