USPHL And NCDC Alum Brandon Bussi Earns First NHL Playoff Start In Stanley Cup Final

For Bussi, the opportunity marks the latest chapter in a development path that began within the USPHL. He first played for the P.A.L. Junior Islanders’ USPHL 16U team during the 2014-15 season before returning to the organization in the NCDC during the 2017-18 campaign. In 23 games with P.A.L. that season, Bussi posted a .917 save percentage before advancing to the USHL and later Western Michigan University.

After starring at Western Michigan, Bussi signed with the Boston Bruins organization and worked his way through the professional ranks with the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League. Following years of development, he earned his NHL opportunity with the Carolina Hurricanes and enjoyed a breakout 2025-26 regular season, posting a 31-6-2 record in 39 appearances.

Bussi’s path to a Stanley Cup Final start gained momentum during Game 3 of the series. Entering in relief during the third period, he stopped 18 of 19 shots, including a penalty shot attempt by Mitch Marner, helping Carolina erase a four-goal deficit and force overtime in one of the wildest games of the postseason. His performance immediately sparked discussion about whether he would receive the start in the pivotal Game 4 matchup.

Now, with the Hurricanes looking to even the series against Vegas, Bussi will take the ice for the first playoff start of his NHL career on hockey’s biggest stage.

From the USPHL and NCDC to the Stanley Cup Final, Bussi’s journey serves as another example of the opportunities available through the USPHL development pathway. Tonight, he becomes the latest league alumnus to compete for hockey’s ultimate prize under the brightest spotlight the sport has to offer.