Bussi Makes Debut as Hurricanes Face Sharks Tonight

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Goaltender Brandon Bussi is set to make his NHL debut on Thursday night when the Carolina Hurricanes take on the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center. The 27-year-old Bussi has played 111 games in the American Hockey League and was claimed off waivers by the Hurricanes on October 5.

Bussi gets his chance to start due to Pyotr Kochetkov‘s lower-body injury. Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour stated, “It’s an opportunity for him, and he’s ready for it.” Bussi’s debut marks a significant moment for him after being named a 2023 AHL All-Star.

Alongside Bussi, defenseman Mike Reilly is expected to play his first game with the Hurricanes. The 32-year-old defenseman signed as a free agent on July 1 and fills in for Jaccob Slavin, who is out with a lower-body injury. Brind’Amour remarked, “We’re going to keep Slavin out for a while to ensure he’s healthy. He doesn’t feel right yet, so safety is the priority.”

The Hurricanes enter this matchup with a record of 2-0-0 after an exciting 4-3 overtime victory against the Philadelphia Flyers. Carolina is one of three teams still undefeated in the NHL, alongside Seattle and Dallas. Meanwhile, the Sharks are looking for their first win after suffering two straight overtime losses, the latest being a 7-6 defeat against the Anaheim Ducks.

Spectators will also have their eyes on the Sharks’ Michael Misa, the 2025 second overall draft pick, who is set to make his NHL debut tonight. Misa is part of a young Sharks roster that includes several first-round picks from the past five years.

The game begins at 10 p.m. ET, providing fans an opportunity to witness valuable contributions from both new players and established stars.