Hauppauge, N.Y. — Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Brandon Bussi returned to his childhood rink on Wednesday, bringing the Stanley Cup to The Rinx in Hauppauge as part of his day with the trophy. Bussi grew up in nearby Sound Beach and played youth hockey at the facility.
Thousands of fans turned out, with a line that stretched through the parking lot. Some arrived before sunrise, and the lot was full and closed by 10 a.m., a half-hour before the event began. Cheers greeted Bussi as he stepped off a white bus and lifted the Cup, and supporters inside chanted his name.
Celebrating Local Heroism
Bussi and his family posed for photos on the same ice where he first learned the position. Suffolk County honored him with a proclamation naming the day for him, presented by County Executive Edward Romaine. District Attorney Raymond Tierney also spoke, praising Bussi’s resilience, readiness, and connection to his Long Island roots. The Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame recognized Bussi as its first Suffolk County Sports Person of the Year.
Addressing the crowd, Bussi thanked fans and reflected on the significance of celebrating at the rink where he first put on goalie pads, joined by family, former coaches, and teammates. He described the day as unforgettable.
After the ceremony, Bussi took photos with fans until 11:45 a.m., then brought the Cup outside to greet those who had not been able to enter the arena.
Bussi is only the second player to bring the Stanley Cup to Long Island; retired defenseman Rob Scuderi did so after winning titles with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009 and the Los Angeles Kings in 2012. In a nod to Scuderi, Bussi planned an evening appearance at a restaurant on Freeport’s Nautical Mile, with a public event scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m.
Undrafted, Bussi was claimed off waivers by Carolina in October and made his NHL debut on Oct. 14 against the San Jose Sharks. He started Games 3 through 6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final, finishing the series with a shutout of the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 6 to clinch the championship.
This remarkable journey of Brandon Bussi not only highlights his personal achievements but also serves as an inspiration for young athletes in Long Island and beyond. His connection to the community and dedication to the sport exemplifies the spirit of hockey.