Stanley Cup on Its Way to Hauppauge

Exciting news! The Stanley Cup is headed to Hauppauge.

Brandon Bussi, the goaltender for the Hurricanes, has some heartfelt plans for Wednesday involving his Stanley Cup journey. He’s the first player from Suffolk County to win this coveted trophy, and he intends to take it back to where it all began for him as a child: the Lynx Ice Arena.

“The Lynx is the first place I wore goalie gear,” Bussi shared. “I remember being on the ice for a clinic, though I can’t recall the exact date.” It’s quite the milestone for a guy who debuted in the NHL just last October and surprised everyone by sealing the championship with a 3-0 win over the Golden Knights in Game 6 of the Finals. He’ll open the Cup for public viewing from 10:15 to 11:45 a.m.

Bussi has also been honored as the first Suffolk Athlete of the Year by the local Sports Hall of Fame. “Meeting young players is fantastic because they share the dream of winning a Stanley Cup too,” he mentioned, reflecting on the importance of inspiring the next generation.

“I hope others get opportunities like I have now.”

The Sound Beach native has additional plans for the evening’s Cup game. He’ll celebrate at Bracco’s, located on Freeport’s Nautical Mile. This is a nod to Rob Scuderi, the first Long Islander to win the Cup, who celebrated there after his victories with the Penguins in 2009 and the Kings in 2014.

“I thought this would be a nice way to close out the day,” Bussi noted, adding that it felt good to honor someone who paved the way.

Scuderi expressed his gratitude for Bussi’s thoughtfulness, recalling how “it was really generous of him to consider me when he could be focused on enjoying the moment.”

Now an assistant with the Predators, Scuderi chose the waterfront location in 2009 because the area holds a special significance for him. “It’s crucial to share the Cup with the community you grew up in,” he added, emphasizing the connection to their roots.

The celebration will continue at Bracco’s from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. as the champions get ready for preseason festivities. “You can’t just let it all loose, right? There’s got to be some excitement in the air, but I imagine some food and drinks might inadvertently find their way into the Cup,” Bussi humorously remarked, anticipating a joyous occasion.