Ruskowski began by playing for the Swift Current Broncos of the Western League in 1971-72. He played there until 1974, year where he was drafted to both the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League; 70th overall by the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks in the 1974 NHL Entry Draft and 58th overall by the WHA's Houston Aeros in the 1974 WHA Entry Draft. He stayed until 2011, when he resigned and became the coach of the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees.