Raymond Kusch | 2020 Disabled Athlete of the Year

Raymond Kusch has been named the 2020 Disabled Athlete of the Year.

The annual award recognizes the outstanding perseverance and dedication by a disabled
hockey player through demonstrating the ability to overcome obstacles in the pursuit of
excellence both on and off the ice.

A former Sargent in the United States Army, Kusch served two deployments in both Iraq and
Afghanistan. In 2012, he lost his left foot and suffered other serious injuries in an explosion
caused by an IED pressure plate.

Kusch started playing hockey in September of 2017 and now is involved in three different
disabled hockey disciplines, including standing amputee, warrior and deaf/hard of hearing. His
involvement in the disabled hockey community has been immeasurable, representing the U.S.
in international competition in both standing amputee and deaf/hard of hearing events.

In addition to starting his own adult league team, Kusch competed against able-bodied athletes
with the University of Michigan–Flint’s ACHA Division III team and still practices with the team
after graduating in December of 2019.

More award winners: https://www.usahockey.com/annualawards