Brendan Bushy is from a hockey family in Thief River Falls. His dad, Jon, played college hockey for Minnesota State University-Mankato. His younger brother, Evan, is a St. Cloud State commit and is playing juniors for the Minnesota Wilderness in the North American Hockey League. They also have a younger brother who is playing at the bantam level of youth hockey.

Brendan's grandfather, Joe Bushy, was on the committee to get the Ralph Engelstad Arena (The Mini Ralph) built in Thief River Falls in 2003. Bushy talks about his hockey-rich family, growing up in Thief River Falls, playing junior hockey for the Dubuque Fighting Saints and playing in the state hockey tournament in St. Paul.