As his NHL career accelerates with record-setting success, Brandon Bussi prefers to keep his focus in the present.
When the Carolina Hurricanes notched a 3–2 win over the Washington Capitals on Dec.11, the 27-year-old became the fastest goaltender to 10 wins in NHL history.
The milestone added to one of the 2025–26 season’s feel-good narratives, with the man at the centre of it enjoying every step of the journey.
“The coolest part has been reflecting on the people who have helped me get here – my parents, family, friends,” Bussi told NHLPA.com the day after he put his name in the history books. “So many people have reached out, and it’s been great to share the ride over these past few months.
“My family as a whole has been unbelievably supportive over the years, from my time in junior, to college and going pro. They have supported me through all the ups and downs, the tough times, bouncing around and dealing with adversity. It’s kind of crazy for them to see what it has become now.”
What it has become is something torn from the pages of a Hollywood script.
After signing as a free agent with the Boston Bruins on March 30, 2022, Bussi spent his first four professional seasons with the American Hockey League’s Providence Bruins, along with a brief stint with the ECHL’s Maine Mariners.
This July, the New York–born netminder signed a free-agent contract with the Florida Panthers. He did not appear in a game with the reigning Stanley Cup champions before being claimed off waivers by Carolina on Oct. 5.
And that’s when everything changed for the now record-setting goaltender.
Bussi made his NHL debut against the San Jose Sharks on Oct. 14 and made 16 saves in a 5-1 victory.
“I absolutely enjoyed the moment, but I didn’t have any of those things pop up in my mind. With my time in Boston, I had been called up a few times and experienced training camp as well. I feel like I had been around the NHL lifestyle – it allowed me to play the game and enjoy the moment versus being star-struck in a way. I just felt very comfortable.”
Since then, Bussi has been on a tear.
His record stands at 11–1–0, accompanied by a .911 save percentage. He is also just the fifth goaltender in NHL history – joining Igor Shesterkin, Frederik Andersen, Bob Froese and Frank Brimsek – to record nine wins in his first 10 career starts.
Amid the fanfare and widespread coverage of his recent performance, Bussi is taking everything in stride.
“It’s been about enjoying the moment, focusing where I am at in the present and not in what the future holds. A lot of the steps I made in my career, I wasn’t supposed to be there at that time,” he offered.
“When I played in the USHL with Muskegon, I made the team out of camp and a lot of factors said I shouldn’t have been there. I would get playing time and do well and then more D1 hockey opportunities opened up, and Western Michigan becomes available. In some ways, it feels like I am playing with house money, where you are on a streak. Everything I have done in my career, when I was younger, people said I wouldn’t be here.”
But that’s exactly where Bussi finds himself.
“With this team, the way we play – we are a good hockey club. We possess the puck a lot, we get a lot of O-zone time. The day-by-day mentality goes into each game. You don’t know when the next shot will be but being ready for whenever and whatever it is.”
One of his biggest supporters is his fiancée, Mary Raclawski.
The two met during their collegiate days at Western Michigan.
“She is my rock, someone who supports me in whatever I do. She has sacrificed a lot in order for me to do what I do. She grew up in Chicago, we met at Western Michigan, and she traveled to Boston when she graduated to live close by me. And she has been with me throughout these hectic two months, not knowing where we would be, and living in a hotel for three months. The number of sacrifices that she has made for me to pursue my dream – that can’t be understated.”
The couple maintains a low-key lifestyle, with home-cooked meals and television usually on the menu.
“I think I am very chill person. Mary and I will watch shows that we are into at the time. Cooking is also something that we like to do when we have free time. Standard stuff – protein, carbs, veggies. My fiancée, she’s great at making the more involved stuff, like jambalaya, chili – that’s her area of expertise.”
Turning aside the opposition on NHL ice is Bussi’s forte.
“It’s a good balance between taking a step back to reflect on what you have done as well as you are not satisfied by it. I am proud of where I have come to, but I also have aspirations of doing more. When you have the opportunity to be in the NHL, on a great team, with the aspiration of doing more, it is exciting to go to the rink every day and be a part of that.”
Feature photo courtesy of Getty Images