Brandon Bussi, a goaltender recently acquired by the Carolina Hurricanes, has made a notable impact in his first months with the team. The Hurricanes claimed Bussi off waivers on October 5 as an insurance policy during roster changes at the end of training camp. The move became significant when another club claimed Cayden Primeau, leaving Carolina with Bussi as their new option in net.
Head Coach Rod Brind’Amour admitted he was unfamiliar with Bussi before his arrival. “I didn’t know much about him,” Brind’Amour said. “I knew the name because we’d talked about him a lot. I’d heard that name going around in the offseasons, but I had zero (idea). I’d never even seen him play.”
Since joining Carolina, Bussi has achieved seven wins in his first eight starts—a franchise record for a rookie goaltender’s opening stretch with the club. Brind’Amour praised both Bussi’s character and performance: “He’s just a good dude, number one. Like, I love that part of it… Can you stop pucks? Well, yeah, that looks like something that he’s done for us really well.”
Bussi was initially set to join Florida’s AHL affiliate before being claimed by Carolina. He now holds a 7-1-0 record and is recognized for his timely saves and steady approach despite not having regular starting opportunities due to established goalies Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov.
“It’s not easy not knowing when your next start is. Since he’s arrived on the scene, that’s what it’s been. (He’s had) nothing but a great attitude, and at the end of the day, every start, he’s been solid. That’s exactly what you need,” Brind’Amour said.
Bussi credits maintaining routines for staying prepared: “It’s actually a good balance of off days, getting your rest and mentally getting away from it… because you don’t know when your next opportunity is going to be.”
In back-to-back starts on November 28 and 30—where he faced only 28 shots—Bussi allowed just one goal in the first game and recorded his first NHL shutout in the second. He reflected on these moments: “You never know, as a goalie, when that moment will be… So it’s just mentally staying with it.”
Brind’Amour noted Bussi’s ability to make crucial saves: “It’s not like we’ve been leaving him out to dry or giving up 40 shots a night… if there’s a breakaway here or there, those are huge moments in tight games… It’s timely saves that allow us to have a chance…”
Teammates have also expressed support for Bussi’s performance and presence within the team environment.
Seth Jarvis commented after one recent win: “It’s incredible. He played great all game… To keep us in the game like that was huge.” Taylor Hall added: “I think you’re seeing him grow from game to game… He’s got a bright future in this league…”
Hall further emphasized that development paths vary among goalies: “It doesn’t matter if you’re 22 or 26… there’s no direct path to being what you are,” he said.
Jarvis concluded: “I think (the hockey world) knows who he is now… There’s no one I’m happier for.”
