This story originally appeared on Minnesotahockey.org on June 10, 2017.

On Friday, June 9, Minnesota Hockey District Director and long time youth hockey volunteer Dennis Bushy was honored with the William Thayer Tutt Award at the USA Hockey President’s Awards Dinner. 

Bushy’s infectious love of the game and caring personality has made a positive impact on countless people at the local, district and state level in Minnesota. After returning home from a three-year tour in the U.S. Army, including a period in Vietnam, it took only a short time for the nearly tireless worker who has always had a passion for hockey to volunteer to help start a youth hockey program in Benson, Minn. The East Grand Forks, Minn. native hasn’t stopped since, spending more than 40 years enhancing the experience of youth hockey player, parents, coaches and other volunteers.

Upon moving to Moorhead, Minn. in 1977, Bushy became a coach at the bantam level, a position he continues to hold to this day. He would eventually move into a number of other positions including 20 years serving USA Hockey as associate coach-in-chief for Minnesota, 18 years as a coach in Minnesota Hockey’s player development programs, more than 15 years as the general manager of Moorhead Youth Hockey Arena and is approaching 10 years as District 15 director.

With such a record of service, it’s no surprise USA Hockey chose to recognize Bushy with the William Thayer Tutt Award. The award is dedicated to honoring volunteers who, during many years of service, have displayed selfless dedication to the enhancement of ice hockey at the grassroots level in the United States.

When you talk to the people who interact with him regularly though, Bushy’s legacy will be much more about the manner in which he’s served than his various titles and longevity.

“Dennis has always had a passion for not just making the players better, but he’s always wanted to make coaches better and make each organization better,” said USA Hockey coach-in-chief, Mike MacMillan. “To get any award, you have to go above and beyond the role you serve in, and he’s always done that.”

Read more at minnesotahockey.org.