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SPORTS Carolina Hurricanes' Brandon Bussi gets hero's welcome from Suffolk County community Carolina Hurricanes' Brandon Bussi brought the Stanley Cup home to Long Island.
Krista McNally has more on the hero's welcome. HAUPPAUGE, Long Island (WABC) -- Brandon Bussi of the Carolina Hurricanes brought the Stanley Cup home to Long Island on Wednesday, drawing thousands of fans to a hometown celebration and visit to the rink where his hockey journey began.
Bussi’s hockey career started at age 6 when he first stepped onto the ice at The Rinx in Hauppauge. Tom Palamara, president and owner of The Rinx, said the NHL goaltender has remained connected to his roots despite his success.
“It is incredible that he actually made it from a little kid putting his equipment on to the NHL,” Palamara said.
Palamara recalled a request Bussi made before bringing the Stanley Cup to the facility.
“He said, 'if it’s all right, I’d like to walk on the ice with the cup where I first stepped on as a child.' And I said, 'Brandon absolutely! Not only do I have goose bumps but whatever you want, this is your day,'” Palamara said.
That moment came Wednesday as Bussi carried the Stanley Cup onto the ice and held it overhead while youth hockey players tapped their sticks in celebration.
“This moment for me is pretty surreal to be able to come back to the place where I strapped on my pads for the first time with loved ones, seeing a lot of old faces, old coaches,” Bussi said.
The Sound Beach native drew support from fans who lined up hours before the event to meet him.
“It is awesome! I have never seen this before and I didn’t think anyone from our town could make it to the big leagues one day!” one fan said.
“We are huge hockey fans and Bussi went to our district he graduated from my high school,” another fan said.
“I look forward to meeting him and seeing a guy who won the Stanley Cup from our town, played on some of the teams I play on and it’s a really cool thing,” another attendee said.
As part of the celebration, Suffolk County officially declared Aug. 19 “Brandon Bussi Day.”
“I wanted to see a cup for the first time ever,” one fan said.
Many attendees took photos with Bussi and the Stanley Cup. For those unable to get inside, Bussi brought the trophy outside so more people could see it.
“That moment was special. This day is amazing,” Bussi said.
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