Brandon Bussi is an American professional ice hockey goaltender who plays for the Carolina Hurricanes in the National Hockey League. His rise became one of the most unexpected NHL stories of the 2025-26 season. After years as an undrafted goalie in college and the American Hockey League, Bussi earned his NHL opportunity and quickly turned it into a breakthrough year.
Known for his size, patience, and calm style in the crease, Bussi built his career through steady progress rather than early fame. By 2026, he had become a valuable part of Carolina’s goaltending group and one of the league’s most talked-about late-blooming players.
| Net Worth: | $500K |
|---|---|
| Real Name: | Brandon Bussi |
| Birth Date: | June 25, 1998 |
| Age (as of 2026): | 27 Years |
| Birth Place: | Sound Beach, New York, USA |
| Height: | 1.96 m (6 ft 4 in) |
| Parents: | Ron and Lisa Bussi |
| Fiancee/Girlfriend: | Mary Raclawski |
Early Life
Brandon Bussi was born on 25th June, 1998, in Sound Beach, New York, United States. He grew up on Long Island, an area with a strong youth hockey culture. His early years helped shape his competitive nature and gave him the base for a long climb through the sport.
Bussi developed as a goaltender later than many elite prospects. He did not enter the NHL through the draft, which made his path more difficult. Instead, he earned attention through junior hockey, college hockey, and professional minor-league performance.
Family & Education
Brandon Bussi’s parents are Rob Bussi and Lisa Bussi. He grew up in Sound Beach, New York, and his family has strongly supported his hockey career. He also has a brother named Dylan who was diagnosed with a severe form of autism spectrum disorder and is nonverbal. Brandon has often used his hockey platform to support autism awareness.
During his time at Western Michigan, Bussi wore an autism awareness goalie mask in honor of Dylan. He explained that his brother helped shape his perspective and motivation. That personal cause has remained close to him throughout his hockey journey.
Bussi attended Western Michigan University, where he studied accounting and played college hockey for the Broncos. His time at Western Michigan became the key turning point in his development. He grew from an overlooked goalie into one of the stronger college players in the country.
At Western Michigan, Bussi played under a competitive NCAA program and posted a career record of 46 wins, 25 losses, and five overtime losses. He finished his college career with a 2.61 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage. His performance helped him earn professional interest after going undrafted.
Career
Before college, Brandon Bussi played in the United States Hockey League with the Muskegon Lumberjacks. During the 2018-19 season, he became one of the league’s more reliable goaltenders. That season helped him secure his place at Western Michigan.
Bussi joined Western Michigan for the 2019-20 season and became a major part of the Broncos’ program. His strongest college campaign came in 2021-22, when he helped Western Michigan win its first NCAA tournament game. After that season, he chose to begin his professional career.
On March 30, 2022, Bussi signed with the Boston Bruins as an undrafted free agent. He spent most of his early professional career with the Providence Bruins in the AHL. During the 2022-23 season, he posted a 22-5-4 record with a 2.40 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage. That strong rookie season earned him AHL All-Rookie Team honors.
Brandon Bussi remained in the Bruins organization through the 2024-25 season. He gave Providence steady goaltending but did not receive a regular NHL chance in Boston. In July 2025, he signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Florida Panthers. His stay there was short, as the Carolina Hurricanes claimed him off waivers on October 5, 2025.
Brandon Bussi made his NHL debut for Carolina on October 14, 2025, against the San Jose Sharks and earned a 5-1 victory. He recorded his first NHL shutout on November 30, 2025, in a 1-0 overtime win against the Calgary Flames.
During the 2025-26 season, Bussi became one of Carolina’s biggest surprises. He reached 20 NHL wins faster than any goaltender in league history and later signed a three-year, $5.7 million contract extension with the Hurricanes on February 16, 2026. By the end of the regular season, he had posted 31 wins in 39 games.
Personal Life
Brandon Bussi is engaged to Mary Raclawski. The couple met as student-athletes at Western Michigan University, where Bussi played hockey and Raclawski competed in cross country and track. Their relationship has lasted more than six years, including periods of long distance.
Mary Raclawski has worked as a content creator and CPG professional. She has shared parts of their hockey life online, especially during Carolina’s 2026 Stanley Cup Final run. The couple planned to marry later in the summer of 2026.
Bussi’s personal life reflects his grounded personality. He has stayed close to family and has continued supporting autism-related causes. His work connected to his brother Dylan has given his public image a meaningful and personal side.
Social Media
Brandon Bussi has a public Instagram account under the handle @brandonbussi29. His account includes hockey moments, personal updates, and posts connected to his career. His social media presence grew during his breakout season with Carolina.
Mary Raclawski is also active on Instagram and TikTok, where she shares lifestyle content and behind-the-scenes moments from hockey life. Together, they have become more visible as Bussi’s NHL profile has grown.
Brandon Bussi Net Worth
Brandon Bussi’s exact net worth has not been officially confirmed. Based on public salary information and his NHL contracts, his estimated net worth in 2026 is likely between $500,000 and $1.5 million. This estimate remains approximate because private assets, taxes, investments, and endorsement income are not publicly known.
His main income source is professional hockey salary. In 2025-26, he played on a $775,000 NHL salary with Carolina. His three-year, $5.7 million extension begins in 2026-27 and carries a $1.9 million annual value through the 2028-29 season.
Bussi does not appear to have major publicly confirmed endorsement deals as of 2026. However, his breakout NHL season and playoff visibility could increase his future marketing value. His financial standing has improved sharply since his AHL years.
