LAS VEGAS – Brandon Bussi’s path to the Stanley Cup ran straight through the Atlantic Youth Hockey League.
The 27-year-old goaltender, who skated for the Long Island Royals and Long Island Gulls in the AYHL from 2011 to 2016, capped one of the most remarkable stories of the 2025-26 NHL season Sunday, stopping all 22 shots he faced as the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final.
Bussi’s journey was anything but conventional. After three seasons at Western Michigan University and three more with the Providence Bruins — the Boston Bruins’ AHL affiliate — he signed with the Florida Panthers as a free agent before being placed on waivers. Carolina claimed him Oct. 5, and the rest is history.
He went 31-6-2 in 39 regular-season starts, then posted a 1.60 goals-against average and .931 save percentage in four postseason appearances. His Game 6 shutout made him just the third goaltender in NHL history to record a Stanley Cup-clinching shutout in his first NHL season.
For the AYHL, Bussi is a reminder of what this league has always stood for — developing players who are ready when their moment comes.
Congratulations, Brandon. We couldn’t be more proud. 🏒🏆
