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The Goalie Coaches Newsletter
The newsletter for goalie parents who want smarter development decisions — not more noise.
Goalie Parents Edition Issue 26 [6-19-2026] @goaliecoaches
IN THIS ISSUE
Crease NotesFrom Chipotle to the Stanley Cup, the incredible story of Brandon Bussi and why he’s living every kids dream right now. |
Gear VerdictTRUE HZRDUS 9X4 Composite Goalie Stick |
This weeks FindOff-season Training With Joey Daccord and His Dad Head over to his Youtube Channel |
Issue 26 — From Chipotle to the Stanley Cup
In the summer of 2020, if you grabbed a burrito bowl at the Chipotle in North Andover, Massachusetts, there’s a real chance Brandon Bussi rang you up.
He was 22, undrafted, playing college hockey at Western Michigan, and working a summer job because that’s what you do when the NHL hasn’t called and rent doesn’t care about your save percentage.
Fast forward six years. Bussi just made 22 saves to shut out the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0, clinching the Carolina Hurricanes’ first Stanley Cup since 2006 — and becoming the first American goalie to win a Cup-clinching game in a shutout since Jonathan Quick in 2014.
In between: three quiet seasons buried in Boston’s system behind Jeremy Swayman, a contract that expired without a single NHL appearance for the Bruins, a one-year deal with Florida he never played a game for, and a waiver claim by Carolina that looked like a minor roster move at the time. He didn’t even win the starting job — he got it in relief during Game 3 when Frederik Andersen ran out of gas. Carolina outscored Vegas 16-6 with Bussi in net from that point on.
Here’s the part that hits different than your average underdog story: Bussi’s masks carry autism symbols in support of his younger brother Dylan, who’s on the spectrum. He’s been selling “House Money” hats with proceeds going to the Autism Society of North Carolina — a nod to the mindset he leaned on through every setback. Nothing left to lose, nothing to fear, just play.
If your goalie is grinding through a tough season right now — buried on a bench, doubting themselves, wondering if it’s worth it — Bussi’s story is worth sharing with them. The path isn’t always a straight line. Sometimes it runs through a burrito assembly line.
Related Article: What Gear does Brandon Bussi wear?
This issue also covered:
🧤 Gear Verdict — The TRUE HZRDUS 9X4 composite stick, normally $359, marked down to $215 at Pure Goalie this week.
🏒 This Week’s Find — Seattle Kraken goalie Joey Daccord’s behind-the-scenes off-season training video with his dad at Stop It Goaltending.
🎯 Development Corner — Bauer’s new Vapor Fly-W chest protector, built specifically for female goalies.
🧠 Crease Poll — What’s the biggest challenge you’re facing with your goalie’s development right now?
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