SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. - The Lake Superior State (LSSU) hockey program welcomes Evan Bushy (Thief River Falls, Minn.) to the team as part of the 2023 recruiting class. 

Bushy, a native of Thief River Falls, Minn., has proven to be a strong competitor, dating back to his time at Thief River Falls High School where he was able to record 120 points (47G, 73A). The defenseman would go on to help his team win a Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) Section 8A Championship to earn a Class A State Tournament appearance in 2018, and he was named the team's captain prior to his senior season, during which he would lead his team in points (38) and assists (24) while being tied for second in goals (14). His efforts on the ice were able to draw some national attention as well, earning him the opportunity to compete for team USA at the 2019 Ivan Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

After the conclusion of Bushy's high school career, he would make a pair of brief stops with the Sioux Falls Stampede and Sioux City Musketeers of the United States Hockey League (USHL) before his first full season of junior hockey with the North American Hockey League's (NAHL) Minnesota Wilderness. With one full season of junior hockey under his belt, Bushy would then find his new home with the Trail Smoke Eaters of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). 

In his first season with the Smoke Eaters, Bushy was able to double his point production from the prior season, notching 31 points (6G, 5A). His leadership would then earn him the right to wear the captain's 'C' on his jersey the following year. He continued to rack up assists during the regular season, placing him firmly in the top ten among BCHL defensemen in that category, and his 35 regular season points (7G, 28A) would also rank him in a tie for 11th among BCHL defensemen, one point above fellow Laker newcomer Jack Blanchett. Bushy would be awarded the title of Top Defenseman for Trail after each of his two seasons with the team, and his efforts on the ice for his most recent season earned him the title of the Smoke Eaters' MVP in 2023.

"He is a first-class individual and a great leader," said Geoff Fontes, the director of media operations for the Trail Smoke Eaters.

Bushy and the Lakers are set to kick off the 2023-24 regular season on Saturday, Oct. 7 at Michigan State.