Peter Rush Award

(The Peter Rush Award is presented annually to a person who has displayed selfless long-term dedication and commitment to the growth of youth hockey.)

Kirk Avery
Central Section President

As an original member of the New York State Amateur Hockey Association and one of the early USA Hockey directors from New York, Peter Rush was instrumental in the growth of youth hockey at the local, state and national levels. 

Kirk Avery shares many of the same attributes as the award’s namesake. From his run as president of the Southern Tier Hockey Association, as well as dedicating his time to coach in both the STHA and the Broome County High School Hockey Association, to his service on the NYSAHA Central Section board as alternate president and now president, Avery’s commitment to youth hockey has been unwavering and continues to this day. 

Avery has always stressed the importance of transparency, consistency, fairness and process in all his leadership roles as part of USA Hockey and NYSAHA. His ability to treat all situations and people with the respect needed and to do right by all those involved in the game has earned him the admiration and respect of all those he meets. 

He has set a stellar example for other board members to follow and has created a blueprint to get hundreds of players and coaches on the ice each season and help spur their development as not only players but people.