Brandon Bussi had been making waves in the hockey world with his impressive performances and rapid rise through the ranks. Born on June 25, 1998, in Sound Beach, New York, Bussi’s journey to professional hockey has been nothing short of remarkable.
Early Career and USHL Success
Before his collegiate career, Bussi played one season in the USHL with the Muskegon Lumberjacks. During the 2018-19 season, he posted a 33-12-3 record with seven shutouts, 2.44 goals against average, and a .915 save percentage. His performance in the USHL showcased his potential and set the stage for his future success.
College Success
Bussi began his collegiate career at Western Michigan University during the 2019-20 season. His standout moment came in the 2021-22 season when he helped the Broncos secure their first-ever win in the NCAA tournament, making 30 saves in a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory against the Northeastern Huskies. Although the Broncos were eliminated in the next round by the Minnesota Golden Gophers, Bussi’s performance did not go unnoticed.
Professional Debut and AHL Success
On March 30, 2022, Bussi signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the Boston Bruins, forgoing his senior year at Western Michigan. He joined the Providence Bruins, the AHL affiliate of the Boston Bruins, and quickly made an impact. In his first full season with Providence, Bussi finished sixth in the league among goalies in goals against average with 2.40 and second in save percentage with .924. His stellar play earned him a spot in the 2023 AHL All-Star Game and a place on the AHL’s All-Rookie team.
Scouting Report
Bussi is a large-framed goaltender, standing at 6’5″ and weighing 209 lbs. His size is complemented by his athleticism and aggressive style of play. He moves well in the crease and is known for his quick reactions and ability to follow the puck. However, his aggressive nature can sometimes lead to overcommitting and being out of position.
Bussi’s glove hand is considered average, and his puck-handling skills can be adventurous at times. Despite these areas for improvement, his reach and leg extension make him a formidable presence in the net. His performance in the AHL has shown that he has the potential to be a reliable goaltender at higher levels of play.
NHL Future
The question of whether Bussi has an NHL future is an intriguing one. The Boston Bruins have a strong goaltending tandem in Jeremy Swayman and Joonas Korpisalo (and previously Linus Ullmark), which has limited Bussi’s opportunities at the NHL level. However, his consistent performances in the AHL made for a good debate.
Bussi’s potential to become an NHL backup or even a 1B goaltender depends on several factors, including his continued development and the Bruins’ goaltending situation. If he can refine his game and maintain his performance, there is a strong possibility that he will see NHL action in the coming seasons.
There was a lot of angst among many Bruins fans who felt that acquiring Korpisalo in an offseason trade was a bad move because Bussi was ready for an NHL job. Unfortunately, Bussi was given every opportunity but dropped the ball. In fact, he even lost the AHL starting job to Michael DiPietro. He has turned things around as of late so, there is still hope.
In conclusion, Brandon Bussi’s career to date (at least to last season) has been marked by impressive achievements and rapid progress. With his size, athleticism, and determination, he has the tools to carve out a successful career in professional hockey. Whether he becomes a mainstay in the NHL remains to be seen, but his journey so far has been nothing short of inspiring.
In case you missed it, here are the players we previously looked at: Michael DiPietro; Georgii Merkulov; Brett Harrison; Fabian Lysell; Frederic Brunet; Trevor Kuntar; Riley Duran; John Farinacci; Jackson Edward; Ryan Mast; Mason Millman.
Dom - Hockey 