From forgotten waiver claim to locking down a massive extension—Brandon Bussi just rewrote the NHL script in the most unbelievable way possible.
The Shocking Claim That Sparked a Fairy Tale
October 2025: Carolina quietly snags Brandon Bussi off waivers from the two-time defending champs. Zero NHL games. Just another depth move while Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov held the fort. Fast-forward four months—this 27-year-old rookie is tied for third in the league with 23 wins and owns the second-best goals-against average at 2.16. The Hurricanes just handed him a three-year, $5.7 million extension through 2028-29. How does a guy with 111 AHL games suddenly become a franchise cornerstone?
Stats That Scream Legend in the Making
Bussi didn’t just fill in—he dominated. Debuted with a 5-1 thrashing of San Jose. Dropped his first shutout against Calgary. Rattled off a franchise-record nine straight wins. Right now he’s 23-3-1 with two shutouts. While Andersen battles age and Kochetkov recovers from season-ending surgery, Bussi seized the crease and never looked back.
- Tied 3rd in NHL wins: 23
- 2nd-best GAA: 2.16
- Nine-game win streak matching franchise record
- Two shutouts in rookie season
The Heart Behind the Mask
Behind every save is a deeper story. Bussi’s iconic mask honors his younger brother Dylan, who has autism. In celebration of the extension, the Hurricanes Foundation is donating $10,000 to the Autism Society of North Carolina. “Things happen for a reason,” Bussi says. “I’m very fortunate it gets to happen here for longer.”
GM Eric Tulsky:
“Brandon had been successful at every level… Given the opportunity at the NHL level this season, he’s proven to be a winner here too. We are thrilled that he will continue to provide a steady presence in the crease.”
Carolina is third in points percentage, riding a 10-game point streak into the break. With Bussi locked in, the window just got wider. Is this the ultimate waiver steal—or the start of a new dynasty in Raleigh? One thing’s clear: Brandon Bussi’s journey from unknown to untouchable is the feel-good firestorm the NHL needed.
