Bussi brings Stanley Cup to childhood rink on Long Island

HAUPPAUGE, NY -- Brandon Bussi surged onto Long Island with Lord Stanley on Wednesday.

The Carolina Hurricanes goalie brought the Stanley Cup to The Rinx in Hauppauge, New York during his day with the trophy.

Bussi, who grew up in nearby Sound Beach, played at the Long Island hockey rink during his youth.

Thousands of fans came to the public event with a line that snaked through the ice rink’s parking lot. Some fans were waiting in line since the crack of dawn.

The parking lot to The Rinx was full and closed by 10 a.m, 30 minutes before the start of the event.

Fans cheered loudly as Bussi got off a white bus and lifted Lord Stanley over his head.

"Bussi! Bussi!" chants broke out inside the arena.

The Hurricanes goalie and his family took pictures on the ice where he first skated before he was honored by Suffolk County with a proclamation, declaring the day as "Brandon Bussi Day."

Suffolk County Executive Edward Romaine presented Bussi with the proclamation to thank him for what the goalie has done for hockey on Long Island.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney also said a few words at the podium.

"I think Brandon represents the best of all of us," Tierney said. "He is resilient, he's strong and most importantly of all, when he was called upon, he was ready and he performed and this was the result. ... Thank you for not forgetting where you come from."

The Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame presented Bussi with the first ever Suffolk County Sports Person of the Year award.

Bussi then spoke at the podium to thank fans for coming out.

"This moment is surreal," Bussi said. "(To be) in the place that I strapped on my pads for the first time with loved ones, old faces, old coaches, old teammates. The youth hockey community as a whole to support me and be able to celebrate this moment with me is very special. Thank you, all you guys, for coming out."

"This is extremely special to me and I will never forget this day, so thank you."

After the ceremony, Bussi took pictures with fans until 11:45 a.m. He then brought the Cup outside for the hundreds of fans waiting in line who did not get a chance to go into the arena.

The Hurricanes goalie is only the second player to bring the Stanley Cup to Long Island. Retired defenseman Rob Scuderi brought the trophy to the island when he won it with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009 and again with the Los Angeles Kings in 2012.

Last week, Bussi told local media he wanted to honor Scuderi and bring the trophy to Bracco’s Clam and Oyster Bar on the Nautical Mile in Freeport, where the retired defenseman celebrated his championships.

A public event is being held at the seafood restaurant from 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday.

Bussi, who went undrafted, was claimed off waivers by the Hurricanes in October and made his NHL debut on Oct. 14 against the San Jose Sharks. He started Games 3-6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final, shutting out the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 6 to clinch the title.