The Stanley Cup made a homecoming stop on Long Island this week, as Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Brandon Bussi brought the championship trophy to The Rinx in Hauppauge. The facility holds special significance for Bussi, as it is where he first learned to play hockey as a child.
Bussi arrived at The Rinx on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, and immediately went to the north rink to step onto the ice with the Cup, surrounded by children and fans. Rinx owner Tom Palamara, who has been involved in hockey for decades, described the moment as "amazing."
Palamara, who also serves as president of the New York State Amateur Hockey Association, has a long history in the sport, dating back to founding the Providence College women's hockey team in 1974. He worked under future NHL executive Lou Lamoriello and later served as an off-ice official for the NHL.
Fans, many wearing jerseys from various hockey teams including the Islanders, Rangers, and Hurricanes, lined up for hours to see Bussi and the Cup. Greg Packer of Huntington was the first to arrive, lining up at 5:30 a.m. for the 10:15 a.m. start. Bussi made sure to greet fans outside the facility, walking the Cup to a line that extended into a nearby park, allowing everyone to get a view of him with the trophy.