HOUSTON, TX – The Houston Bulls announced today that former professional goaltender AJ Ruskowski will remain on the organization’s coaching staff, serving as Assistant Coach for the upcoming inaugural season in Houston. Ruskowski, who spent the 2025-26 campaign behind the bench with the North Iowa Bulls, transitions to Texas with the team’s relocation.
A native of Traverse City, Michigan, Ruskowski brings an extensive background as both a high-level player and an emerging developer of junior hockey talent. Prior to his coaching career, the 6’6″ goaltender completed a standout collegiate tenure at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota (NCAA Division III). Ruskowski suited up for 62 games across four seasons in the Cardinals’ crease, posting a career .902 save percentage. Recognized as a core leader on and off the ice, he served as a team captain during his senior year and earned back-to-back MIAC All-Academic team selections in 2023 and 2024.
Following his final collegiate season in 2024-25, Ruskowski signed a professional contract with the Pensacola Ice Flyers of the SPHL. During his stint in the professional ranks, he appeared in seven games and posted an impressive .918 save percentage, highlighted by a dominant shutout performance against the league-leading Peoria Rivermen.
Ruskowski is also a veteran of the junior hockey ecosystem. He began his junior career in 2019 with the NA3HL’s Bozeman Ice Dogs, helping guide the team to the Fraser Cup Playoffs. His elite play earned him a promotion to the NAHL’s Minot Minotauros, where he put up a 7-3 record and a .903 save percentage to help secure a postseason berth. He later advanced to play for the NCDC’s P.A.L. Junior Islanders, recording a .904 save percentage over 15 contests.
“I am excited to work with and learn from Nathan during our inaugural season in Houston,” Ruskowski said. “We have a good core of players moving from North Iowa to Houston and are also excited for the additions that have been made this offseason by our GM Nick Fabrizio.
We are eager for our Main Camp in Chicago this July. This is where we will finalize our group that will be making the trip down to Houston for training camp. We have some exciting Free Agents, Tenders, and Draft picks that will be competing for the many jobs that still remain in our lineup for the fall. This camp will be ultra competitive and we will identify players that can fit into our staff’s desired identity.
I can’t wait to meet our fans and showcase our incredible players and young men that will make up the inaugural roster in Houston. Go Bulls!”
Bulls Nation can officially welcome Coach Ruskowski to the bench alongside Head Coach Nathan Oystrick this fall as the team prepares for its historic first puck drop.