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KOHA ANNOUNCES HOCKEY DIRECTOR HIRING

By KOHA, 06/04/21, 1:00PM EDT

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KALAMAZOO, MI - The Kalamazoo Optimist Hockey Association (KOHA) is pleased to announce that Kyle Bushee has been hired as the association’s Hockey Director.  Bushee replaces Matt Kakabeeke who will be transitioning to the Executive Director position which he will assume full-time in August 2021.

Bushee, an Otsego native and KOHA alum, is entering his fifth season as part of the KOHA Skills Staff. Kyle played more than ten seasons of professional hockey and finished the 18/19 season with the Kalamazoo Wings (ECHL) as one of the All-Time leaders in league history for most games played.  “It’s unique – I grew up going to games and playing between periods as a kid for the old K-Wings when they were in the IHL. To be able to play for them was awesome.  I live in my hometown, I played in my hometown, and now I get to help young players here set goals and work hard to achieve them,” said Bushee.  Since retiring from professional hockey, Bushee and his wife have started a family and he has committed himself to player development in Kalamazoo by working with KOHA’s travel, House B and grassroots programs while also working toward a goal of becoming an elite level referee/on-ice official.  During the 2020-2021 season Bushee was a part of USA Hockey’s Officiating Development Program. Working games in the USHL, NAHL and the ACHA. He has been hired by the new CCHA for the 2021-2022 season.

“I am excited and honored to be chosen as KOHA’s next hockey director,” says Bushee. “I look forward to continuing to build on the foundation that Matt and the skill development staff have put in place over the last 5 years. Our club has made tremendous headway in player development over the past few years, thanks to our emphasis on skill acquisition. I am eager to get started in my new role and can’t wait to see everyone at the rink this fall.”

Once Kakabeeke knew he would be transitioning from his role as Hockey Director into the Executive Director position, his goal was to find a replacement committed to player development that would have immediate respect of the dedicated skill development staff he or she would be tasked with leading. “For me, there was only one person I could see in this position. It’s never easy going from playing at the level Kyle was at, to being on the ice and engaged with kids and families just starting their hockey journey. Kyle embraced every opportunity and challenge, he accepted what player development looks like today versus when he was at the youth level and has done a phenomenal job with our players, parents, coaches and staff. I couldn’t be more excited to announce that he has accepted the Hockey Director position and I look forward to continuing to deliver an exceptional experience for our families,” said Kakabeeke.

Please join us in welcoming Kyle into his new role when you see him around the rink!


“It’s unique – I grew up going to games and playing between periods as a kid for the old K-Wings when they were in the IHL. To be able to play for them was awesome.  I live in my hometown, I played in my hometown, and now I get to help young players here set goals and work hard to achieve them.”

“I am excited and honored to be chosen as KOHA’s next hockey director,” says Bushee. “I look forward to continuing to build on the foundation that Matt and the skill development staff have put in place over the last 5 years. Our club has made tremendous headway in player development over the past few years, thanks to our emphasis on skill acquisition. I am eager to get started in my new role and can’t wait to see everyone at the rink this fall.”