Boston Bruins
On March 30, 2022, the Boston Bruins announced that Bussi would forgo his senior year to sign a one-year, entry-level contract with the team. [2] He would play the rest of the season with the Bruins AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins. He appeared in 5 games with the team, recording a 3–2–0 record with a shutout.
Bussi had a very successful first full season with the Providence Bruins. As a rookie, he finished the 2022–23 season sixth in the league among goalies in goals against average (GAA) with 2.40 and second in the league in save percentage, with .924. Bussi's play got him named to the 2023 AHL All-Star Game, representing the Atlantic Division. [3] On April 12, 2023, Bussi was recalled to the NHL squad for an emergency recall. [4] Although he dressed as the backup, he did not play, and was sent back down shortly after. Bussi was named to the AHL's All Rookie team at season's end. [5]
On June 19, 2023, the Bruins announced that they had extended Bussi to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000. [6]
Bussi's successful first season had him penciled in as Providence's starting goaltender for the 2023–24 season. Although with the increased responsibility, Bussi's statistics dipped a little, he still had a successful season, starting 41 games and going 23–10–5. Throughout the season, Bussi was occasionally called up to the NHL team on an emergency basis, due to injuries to Boston goaltenders Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark. However, Bussi only served as a backup for these games, and did not see NHL action on any of these call-ups. At seasons end, for the second consecutive year, the Providence Bruins were set to face the Hartford Wolf Pack in the first round of the Calder Cup playoffs. Bussi would start all four games, registering a shutout in Providence's 6–0 game 2 win. However, this would be the only win of the series for Bussi and the Bruins, as they would fall in four games, with the final two losses going to overtime.
On June 24, 2024, the Bruins announced that they had once again extended Bussi to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000. [7]
Bussi started the 2024–25 opening game for the Providence Bruins, a 5-2 loss against the Laval Rocket which saw him let up five goals. As the season progressed, although their starts were mostly even, Bussi lost out on the starting goaltender job to fellow goaltender Michael DiPietro due to play. Bussi's season was very up-and-down, as he recorded a career-high five shutouts throughout the season, but also had five games where he allowed five or more goals, also a career-high. DiPietro earned the starting nod for the 2025 Calder Cup playoffs over Bussi. However, in the early minutes of Game 4 of the divisional round against the Charlotte Checkers, DiPietro was injured, forcing Bussi to come in cold and try to earn the win to stave off elimination. Bussi would make 31 saves on 33 shots as the Bruins beat the Checkers in overtime to force a decisive Game 5. Bussi would get the nod in Game 5, however the Bruins couldn't muster any offensive play, getting only eight shots on goal in a 5-2 loss, ending their season.
