The success story that is Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Brandon Bussi offers positive proof that assessing young netminders is hardly an exact science.
Bussi went undrafted into the NHL. In junior hockey, he played for two NAHL teams and one USHL club before finally making the NCAA grade with the Western Michigan Broncos.
Signed by the Boston Bruins as a free agent on March 30, 2022, Bussi spent his first four pro seasons with the AHL Providence Bruins, along with a brief stint stopping pucks for the ECHL Maine Mariners.
On July 1, 2025, Bussi inked a free-agent pact with the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. But before he'd get the chance to play a game that counted in the Florida organization, the Hurricanes would claim Bussi on waivers on October 5.
Finally making the NHL grade this season, Bussi has been nothing short of sensational. He's 10-1 in 11 starts for the Hurricanes, with a .910 save percentage and 2.07 goals-against average. Bussi has won his last eight decisions.
Bussi's Record Pace
His NHL start is placing Bussi among select company. With his 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals on Thursday, Bussi became the fastest goalie in NHL history to record 10 career wins.
HISTORY FOR BRANDON BUSSI! 🚌 pic.twitter.com/d8OrFo4pwl— NHL (@NHL) December 12, 2025
He was already the fifth goalie in league history to win nine of his first 10 career starts. Also on that list are two other active NHL netminders. One is Bussi's Hurricanes teammate Frederik Andersen. He started 9-1 with the Anaheim Ducks in 2013-14.
Igor Shesterkin of the New York Rangers was also 9-1 to launch his NHL career in 2019-20. With the Philadelphia Flyers, Bob Froese opened his NHL career 9-1 in 1982-83.
The most famous name on this list is Hall of Famer Frank Brimsek. He won nine of his first 10 NHL games for the Bruins in 1938-39. Brimsek would go on to win the Calder and Vezina Trophies, and backstop Boston to a Stanley Cup title that season.