The Boston Bruins have been an organization that does not get enough credit for developing and coaching goaltenders over the years. From Tim Thomas to Tuukka Rask, Linus Ullmark to Jeremy Swayman, the Bruins have been able to identify good netminders via the draft, trade, and free agency and continue a solid run of high-end goaltending. Boston is also finding some diamonds in the rough along the way. In the fall of 2017, the Bruins signed Kyle Keyser from the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League. Then in March of 2022, the Bruins inked Western Michigan goaltender Brandon Bussi to an entry-level contract with an amateur tryout. Add the 6-foot-5 netminder to the list of solid Bruins’ goaltending prospects.
Bussi went undrafted even though he consistently showed improvement during his three seasons at Western Michigan University. In 77 games, Bussi was 46-25-5 with a 2.61 goals against average (GAA) and a .910 percentage. The 23-year-old played five games with the Bruins’ American Hockey League affiliate Providence Bruins, winning three games with a 2.54 GAA and .920 save percentage. The South Beach, New York native also played four games with the Maine Mariners of the East Coast Hockey League, winning three more games with similar numbers. Bussi’s stock continued to rise, and the Bruins saw an opportunity to keep Bussi this season in Providence.
The decision to keep Bussi has been a good one for Boston. Providence has gone with a three-headed monster in net with Bussi, Keyser, and veteran Keith Kinkaid to race out to a 12-2-3 start to the season. Bussi has helped lead the way with a 5-0-2 record with one shutout, picking up his fifth victory on Saturday in a 6-5 win over Syracuse with 28 saves, including a sparkling stop on a partial 2-on-0 to give the Baby Bruins a chance to win.
The tall goaltender is athletic and disciplined, showing good technique positionally. The previous Saturday, Bussi’s skills were on display in a win over the Philadelphia Phantoms as he made 43 saves. In an organization with Ullmark and Swayman on the parent club and 2021 draft pick Philip Svedeback leading a good Providence Friars team in the NCAA’s Hockey East, Bussi continues to stand out and add depth to an already full netminding roster. Bruins goaltending coach Bob Essensa, who was a former NHL goaltender himself, has developed a strong reputation as a coach and teacher of the position.
Bussi has all the makings of a regular NHL goalie in the future. It is just about when and where the youngster gets his chance in the league. Right now, the Bruins have a plethora of good goaltenders at every level, which is a good problem to have for any organization.
Season 4. Episode 34. Marco? Polo? – Bruins Benders Podcast
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I watched Bussi last night on TV here I’m the Central NY area. Pretty solid. It was GREAT to see my Providence Bruins on TV.