When it comes to Carolina Hurricanes’ Brandon Bussi, the 28-year-old netminder is a household name, not only in Raleigh but in the hockey world. After spending four years in the Boston Bruins organization, he went on to make a name for himself elsewhere. Initially, it looked like it would be the Florida Panthers. However, a Hurricanes waiver claim changed those plans.
One season later, Bussi set goalie records, won 31 games, won his first three starts in the Stanley Cup Final, and became a Stanley Cup champion. Heading into the 2026-27 season, the Sound Beach, New York native seeks to prove that it wasn’t a one-hit-wonder season. Bussi is looking to carry the momentum into a new season and help the Hurricanes defend a Stanley Cup title.
Proving 2025-26 Wasn’t a One-Hit Wonder Season
In 2025-26, Bussi not only won 31 games, but also set records along the way. He finished the season with a 31-6-2 record, a 2.47 goals-against average (GAA), an .895 save percentage (SV%), and two shutouts. Throughout the season, he became the fastest goalie to 10, 15, and 20 wins, while also tying a franchise record nine in a row with legend Cam Ward. He tied the record with Ward twice.
While he was setting records, Bussi signed a three-year, $5.7 million extension back in February, keeping him through the 2028-29 season. The hope now is that he continues his upward trajectory within the organization, especially with him considered the 1A in a tandem with Pyotr Kochetkov.
On May 4, following a morning skate, The Hockey Writers had an opportunity to talk to Bussi about his first regular season in the NHL. When asked about the experience and winning 31 games, he stated, “It was a good season overall. The ultimate goal is to win as many games in the regular season to give yourself a chance to make the playoffs and a chance at the Stanley Cup. Overall, I thought things went really well, and obviously, it was a big learning experience. Playing more games and more every other day with the Olympic schedule and everything was more condensed.”
After a stellar first regular season in the NHL, he kept up the magic touch in the playoffs. After Frederik Andersen helped lead the Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup Final, Bussi came in and shut the door on the Vegas Golden Knights. He came in relief for Andersen in Game 3, but unfortunately lost in double overtime. However, Games 4 through 6 was another story. Bussi finished with a 3-1-0 record, a 1.60 GAA, a .931 SV%, and one shutout. The shutout came in Game 6, as the Hurricanes defeated the Golden Knights in six games (4-2) to win their second-ever Stanley Cup.
Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Brandon Bussi (Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images)
When it comes down to it, it’s hard to fluke into 31 wins and then follow that up with three straight wins to secure a Stanley Cup. Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky met with the media for his end-of-season media availability after the first night of the draft, where he stated that the team is comfortable with the tandem of Bussi and Kochetkov. Moreover, especially given how the former stole games for the team throughout the season.
Bussi showed time and time again throughout the 2025-26 season his elite skating ability, highlight-reel saves, and that nothing felt too big for him. His stellar play and humility showcased how he only wanted to help the Hurricanes win. He was the epitome of a team-first goalie and didn’t take anything for granted.
What makes a strong case for how his first season in the NHL wasn’t a fluke came after the Hurricanes’ 2-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Jan. 19. It was during an early afternoon game on Martin Luther King Day, when he submitted his “Save of the Year” moment following a highway robbery save on Tage Thompson. It got so much attention that former New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist stated on TNT Bussi is the real deal. He essentially said this is no flash in the pan or a fluke; he knows Bussi is the real deal.Â
If a Hall-of-Fame goalie like Lundqvist said this isn’t a fluke, that carries a ton of weight. At the end of the day, Bussi showed he can get the job done, and he now has that opportunity this upcoming season. Heading into his first season as the potential 1A goalie, expect Bussi to carry what he did last season and help lead the Hurricanes back to the playoffs.
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