Walter Bush

Lore & Background

In 1960, Bush organized and promoted a semi-professional Northwestern League consisting of six teams in Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska, sanctioned under the Amateur Hockey Association of the United States. He was also a minority owner instrumental in bringing National Hockey League hockey to Minnesota with the Minnesota North Stars. As president of USA Hockey for nearly two decades, he and Lou Nanne successfully lobbied for Herb Brooks to coach the Olympic team in the 1980 games, which resulted in a gold medal. Bush was also instrumental in the efforts that brought women's hockey into the Olympic program in 1998. He assumed the position of USA Hockey's chairman of the board in June 2003 and still held it in May 2009. In 1996, as vice-president of the International Ice Hockey Federation, he and Kimmo Leinonen led efforts to establish the IIHF Hall of Fame. From 1996 to 2001, he was owner and chairman of the board of the American Hockey League's Kentucky Thoroughblades. He was portrayed in the 2004 Disney film Miracle by Sean McCann.

Reader's Guide

Walter Bush's significance lies in his administrative contributions to hockey in the United States over several decades. As president of USA Hockey, he was responsible for two key achievements: lobbying for Herb Brooks to coach the 1980 Olympic team, which won a gold medal, and helping bring women's hockey into the Olympic program in 1998. His work as a minority owner helped establish the Minnesota North Stars, bringing NHL hockey to his home state. In 1996, as IIHF vice-president, he co-led the creation of the IIHF Hall of Fame. His leadership continued as USA Hockey's chairman of the board from 2003 into 2009. His legacy is recognized by inductions into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame (1980), the Hockey Hall of Fame (2000), and the IIHF Hall of Fame (2009), as well as receipt of the Olympic Order in 2002.

Did You Know?

• Bush organized and promoted a semi-professional Northwestern League in 1960 with six teams in Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska.
• He was a minority owner of the Minnesota North Stars.
• He was portrayed by Sean McCann in the 2004 Disney film Miracle.