From Northwestern University Hockey
Please welcome to the Cats Family, Phil Bushbacher as our new player development coach. Phil’s main priority will be running our skills practices throughout the year. Phil is currently the head of hockey strength and conditioning at Illinois Bone and Joint. He also is a head/assistant coach and general manager with the USPHL Chicago Crush. Lastly, Phil works with many youth and high school programs in the area in development on and off the ice. Phil grew up and still resides in nearby Glenview with his soon to be wife, Marlee. In his teenage years, he moved to Canada to play Junior A hockey before returning back home to attend Lake Forest College where he played NCAA DIII. He went onto finishing his degree at Lawrence University before embarking on his pro career. Bushbacher has played 11 years of pro hockey from the Cincinnati Cyclones in the ECHL to the Remparts in Tours, France with many other stops along the way. Phil added a masters to his resume while playing abroad and brings not only a knowledge of the game but also many life experiences to our students.
Coach Ari Lifschutz on Phil:
“I have known Phil now for over 15 years and from day one, he was the hardest working guy around. That work ethic and wealth of knowledge from not only hockey but his travels is going to be a a huge value add to our program. I am also excited about the partnership with the USPHL via Phil. It can show these young men that you can have the opportunity to get an elite education while still playing hockey. I look forward to working more with Phil and our continued friendship.”
Coach Phil Bushbacher on Joining the Cats:
“I am looking forward to working with the Wildcats and building on what Coach Ari Lifschutz has done over the past few seasons. This is a great partnership for the club to gain access to potential recruits from the USPHL and to gain exposure at both the local and national level. With the facilities available to NU, we have a lot of momentum building in Evanston and I am happy to be a part of it. I can’t wait to get on the ice with the team.”
(Originally published at https://www.northwesternicehockey.com/articles/cats-welcome-phil-bushbacher-to-lead-player-development-lvq2tkj4)
