Kevin Maher

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Jun 16, 2026, 10:49 PM

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Updated

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Winning the Stanley Cup has changed Brandon Bussi's life.

"Let's just say walking around trying to be a normal person isn't normal anymore," the Sound Beach native told News12 two days after helping the Carolina Hurricanes win their second Stanley Cup in team history.

Bussi ended up being one the team's heroes after he was moved from backup goalie to starting goalie in the last three games of the Stanley Cup Finals.

"It was a great feeling for the team to believe in me like I believed in them," Bussi said.

It was a wild way to cap off a wild first season in the NHL. Bussi originally signed with the Florida Panthers but was let go before the season started.

Carolina signed him in early October.

Thanks to some injuries, Bussi was named their starting goalie on opening night and ended up breaking an NHL record for the most wins by a goaltender through their first 25 games. But eventually he was made the backup again when goalie Frederik Anderson returned to the team.

Anderson, however, struggled early in the Finals, so the team turned to Bussi and he delivered. He became the first NHL goalie ever to both make his playoff debut in the Finals and win three games.

"Honestly, I wasn't too nervous. I just enjoyed the moment. If you had told me a year ago that I'd be playing in the Stanley Cup playoffs, I'd say that's not going to happen."

Bussi celebrated the Stanley Cup win with his family, including his parents and fiancée, Mary.

"They're the main reason I'm here. For them to be there and share the moment with me, they earned it just as much as I did," Bussi said.

He is now getting ready for the Hurricanes victory parade Saturday in Raleigh, North Carolina.

He's also getting married next month.

He said he plans on bringing the Stanley Cup to Long Island this summer.