RinkSport Hockey

Kush is now entering his 23nd year in women's ice hockey, having served the game in many capacities.  Starting out as an Assistant Coach at Northeastern University in 1988, he helped the Huskies reach the Final Four in each of his 4 seasons - including a National title in 1989. Several players from those teams eventually went on to represent the US and Canadian Olympic Teams.

Kush also served as a Coach with the USA Hockey Women's Development Program from 1989 to 1995.  This included terms with the US National Team as the goalie coach for the 1990 Women's World Championships in Ottawa, and as a training camp Coach for the 1992 and 1994 National Teams in Lake Placid, NY.  Kush participated in USA Hockey's Coaches Program of Merit twice and was certified as a Master Level Coach in 1992.  He subsequently served as: Massachusetts District Girls Head Coach, Southeast District Girl’s Representative, Southeast District Girls Head Coach, and National, Regional, and District player evaluator. 

After leaving the college ranks and relocating to the Washington, DC area in 1993, Kush created the RinkSport High Performance Female Hockey Program which continues to grow - now in it's 18th season. The camps have operated all over North America, including Alaska, California, Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, Michigan, New York, Rhode Island, Vancouver, and also in Chamonix, France and soon Tyringe, Sweden (2011).  The RinkSport program has proven to be very popular with college scouts and college prospects alike, as the camps have filled to capacity within a few weeks after opening registration.

 In 1995, Kush started the DC area's first travel girls hockey team, known now as The Washington Pride.  Over 75 girls have moved on to NCAA Division 1 or 3 hockey teams from the Pride program, and several have gone on to US National teams as well.

In the 2007, Kush co-founded the Junior Women's Hockey League (JWHL) which is the first known 'Junior' style hockey league for female hockey players.  The JWHL features 10 teams in the US and Canada at the U19 'Major Junior' level, and 6 teams at the U17 'Junior' level.  The leagues flagship event, the 'JWHL Challenge Cup', is regarded as one of North America's top girls hockey tournaments, and is sponsored by the NHL's Washington Capitals. 

Kush's focus on quality and commitment to excellence has paid off for players not only on his teams in Washington, but for players in the RinkSport program as well.  He is an advocate for women's college hockey and is committed to growing women's hockey in North America and abroad.  Feel free to contact him anytime at kush@rinksport.com.