Carolina Hurricanes goalie Brandon Bussi returned to his Long Island roots on Wednesday, bringing the Stanley Cup to The Rinx in Hauppauge, the same venue where he first put on goalie gear. The celebration marked a historic moment for Suffolk County, as Bussi became the first native to win hockey's most coveted trophy.
Thousands of fans, including supporters of rival teams like the Islanders and Rangers, gathered to see the homegrown hero. County Executive Ed Romaine officially declared it "Brandon Bussi Day," and the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame named him its inaugural person of the year. "Going to bed as a kid, you definitely dream about that moment – and you never know if it's going to happen," Bussi told The Post. "Fortunately, we're here."
The overwhelming turnout meant that hundreds of fans could not fit inside the venue. In response, Bussi walked the cup outside to greet the extended line of admirers, ensuring everyone had a chance to see him and the trophy.
Bussi, who only reached the NHL this past season at age 27, had a rapid ascent. He made NHL history by becoming the fastest goalie to achieve 20 wins, doing so in just 24 appearances. He later took over as the starting goalie for the Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Finals, recording a 22-save shutout in Game 6 to clinch the championship against the Golden Knights.
"You kind of black out in a sense; I remember everything, but it all happened so quickly," Bussi recalled of the championship win. "When I got handed the cup, I looked into the crowd, and I saw where my family and friends were all standing. I was able to take a lap and face them when I was holding it – and it made it even more special."
He shared the moment with his younger brother, Dylan, who is autistic and nonverbal. Bussi's goalie mask features autism awareness illustrations. "He had to be through the roof," Bussi said of his brother. "He means everything to me."
Bussi also plans to visit Bracco's Clam and Oyster Bar in Freeport later in the day, a nod to fellow Long Island native Rob Scuderi, who also brought the Stanley Cup to the Nautical Mile after winning it in 2009 and 2014.
"I think one of the things I really enjoy about Brandon’s journey, and I don’t take it away from anyone else, is that he did it mostly from here on Long Island," Scuderi told The Post. Bussi cited Scuderi, along with former NHL players Matt Gilroy and Keith Kinkaid, as inspirations who demonstrated that success was achievable for players from the region.
Bussi expressed hope that his journey would inspire the next generation of hockey players. Ethan Wyttenbach, a Flames draft pick and a standout college player from Roslyn, echoed this sentiment, stating his excitement about the possibility of bringing the cup back to the island himself and continuing to foster local hockey enthusiasm.