Last Updated on November 12, 2026 by Carmen Marins

Brandon Bussi is an American professional ice hockey goaltender for the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on June 25, 1998, in Sound Beach, New York, United States, Bussi grew up on Long Island in a family that supported his dream of becoming a professional hockey player.
Brandon Bussi is married to Mary Raclawski, his longtime girlfriend and college sweetheart. The couple married on July 17, 2026, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His parents are Robert Bussi and Lisa Bussi, and he has a younger brother named Dylan Bussi.
Bussi’s family played an important role in his journey from college hockey to winning the Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes in June 2026. He has also used his growing NHL platform to support autism awareness and acceptance in honor of his younger brother.
Brandon Bussi’s Wife: Is He Married or Dating?
Brandon Bussi is married to Mary Raclawski. The couple tied the knot on July 17, 2026, after dating for approximately six and a half years.
They met while attending Western Michigan University, where Brandon played college ice hockey and Mary competed in cross-country and track and field.
Their friendship developed into a romantic relationship, which continued through Bussi’s years in college and his transition into professional hockey.
On July 19, 2026, People magazine published an exclusive interview documenting their wedding, which took place shortly after Brandon helped the Carolina Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup.
Who Is Mary Raclawski?
Mary Raclawski, now also known as Mary Bussi, is Brandon Bussi’s wife, a former college athlete, and a social media content creator.
She grew up in the Chicago area and attended Western Michigan University, where she participated in competitive running events.
Mary has worked in the consumer packaged goods industry while also creating social media content about her life, hockey, and her relationship with Brandon.
During Bussi’s professional hockey career, she supported him through several relocations and periods of uncertainty.
After he left college to pursue professional hockey, Mary moved to the Boston area following her graduation so they could live closer together.
When Brandon joined the Carolina Hurricanes in 2025, the couple eventually established their home in Raleigh, North Carolina.
In an interview published by the NHL Players’ Association in December 2025, Bussi described Mary’s support as essential to his professional journey.
He explained that she had made considerable sacrifices while he pursued his NHL ambitions, including moving between cities and adjusting to an unpredictable hockey schedule.
Mary also became involved with the Carolina Hurricanes’ community of players’ wives and girlfriends.
During the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs, she attended games and supported Brandon as he unexpectedly became one of Carolina’s most important players.
How Did Brandon Bussi Meet His Wife?
Brandon Bussi met Mary Raclawski at Western Michigan University.
According to Mary’s June 2026 interview with People magazine, they met shortly after Brandon moved into his college dormitory.
Mary lived in the same residence building, and Brandon’s room was directly above hers.
They soon discovered that they were taking a class together and began walking to class as friends.
The friendship eventually developed into a romantic relationship.
At the time, both were student-athletes balancing academic responsibilities, training, and competition schedules.
Their shared understanding of the demands of college sports helped strengthen their connection.
After Bussi completed his college career in 2022, the couple continued their relationship while living in different cities.
When Did Brandon Bussi and Mary Raclawski Get Engaged?
Brandon Bussi proposed to Mary Raclawski in June 2025.
Mary publicly shared the engagement announcement on social media.
The proposal came during a period of significant professional changes for Brandon, who was preparing to compete for an NHL opportunity.
By the summer of 2026, the couple were preparing for their wedding while Brandon was participating in the Stanley Cup Final with Carolina.
Brandon Bussi and Mary Raclawski’s Wedding
Brandon Bussi and Mary Raclawski married on July 17, 2026, at Saint Paul’s Parish in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The wedding brought together approximately 187 family members and friends.
The couple selected a Catholic church ceremony because their shared faith was important to their relationship.
Mary wore a wedding gown designed by Monte Durham, while the couple exchanged custom-designed wedding bands.
Following the ceremony, guests attended a reception at Granite Links in Massachusetts.
The celebration featured floral arrangements, a New England-inspired menu, and a four-tier wedding cake.
Brandon and Mary exchanged traditional vows during the church ceremony and shared private personal vows later that evening.
For their first dance, they selected the song “A-Frame” by Jeremy Zucker and Chelsea Cutler.
The wedding took place approximately one month after Bussi’s Stanley Cup championship, making the summer of 2026 especially memorable for the newlyweds.
Brandon Bussi’s Children
Brandon Bussi and Mary Raclawski have no publicly confirmed children.
Although the couple married in July 2026, established sports publications have not reliably reported that they have welcomed a son or daughter.
Interviews about their relationship and wedding primarily discuss their time at Western Michigan University, their professional experiences, and their plans for married life.
Neither Brandon nor Mary has made a widely documented public announcement confirming that they have become parents.
Therefore, it would be inaccurate to identify any children without reliable supporting information.
Brandon Bussi’s Parents
Brandon Bussi was raised by his parents, Robert Bussi and Lisa Bussi, in Sound Beach, New York, on Long Island.
Both parents supported his passion for ice hockey and made considerable sacrifices to help him pursue a professional career.
Robert and Lisa became especially emotional when Brandon earned an opportunity to start in the 2026 Stanley Cup Final.
Father: Robert Bussi
Robert Bussi, also known as Rob Bussi, is Brandon Bussi’s father.
Robert played an important role in his son’s development as a goaltender.
During Brandon’s childhood, Robert helped organize his training and encouraged him to improve his skills.
In a March 2023 interview with the InGoal Magazine podcast, Brandon explained that his father was one of the most important people involved in his early hockey development.
Robert regularly accompanied Brandon to goaltending camps and took notes on training exercises.
He later used those notes to help his son practice skating, positioning, and other goaltending techniques during the hockey season.
Robert also served as a goaltending coach for Brandon’s youth teams.
His dedication continued as Brandon progressed through junior hockey, college hockey, and the professional ranks.
According to a June 15, 2026, interview published by WRAL, Robert developed a tradition of filming Brandon taking shots during pregame warmups.
He began recording these moments when his son was playing junior hockey and continued the tradition throughout his professional career.
Robert accumulated hundreds of recordings documenting Brandon’s development.
He also became involved in the design of Brandon’s goaltender masks, helping develop ideas that reflected family connections and personal values.
Robert Bussi’s Emotional Stanley Cup Moment
On June 9, 2026, Robert traveled to Las Vegas with Lisa to watch Brandon make his first career Stanley Cup playoff start.
Carolina defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 5-3 in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final.
After the victory, Brandon was shown footage of his parents celebrating in the stands.
The emotional moment brought him close to tears as he reflected on their years of support.
Robert attended the remaining championship games and watched his son help Carolina win the Stanley Cup.
Following Game 6 on June 14, Robert told NHL.com that he had always believed Brandon possessed the ability to succeed at the highest level.
He explained that the biggest challenge had been finding an opportunity to demonstrate those skills in the NHL.
Mother: Lisa Bussi
Lisa Bussi is Brandon Bussi’s mother and the wife of Robert Bussi.
Lisa helped raise Brandon and his younger brother Dylan in Sound Beach, New York.
Her role included supporting Brandon’s hockey ambitions while caring for the needs of both children.
During Brandon’s childhood, Lisa and Robert devoted considerable time to practices, tournaments, and travel.
As Brandon advanced through junior hockey and eventually moved away from home, Lisa continued supporting his development.
In a June 2026 interview with WRAL, Lisa described the experience of watching her son compete for the Stanley Cup as surreal.
She also discussed how growing up with Dylan had influenced Brandon’s maturity and sense of responsibility.
According to Lisa, Brandon learned from an early age to be considerate of his younger brother’s needs.
The experience contributed to the close relationship between the siblings.
Lisa joined Robert in Las Vegas during the Stanley Cup Final, celebrating Brandon’s achievements from the stands.
Her reaction to his first playoff victory became part of a widely shared postgame interview.
Brandon Bussi’s Siblings
Brandon Bussi has a younger brother named Dylan Bussi.
Dylan is the sibling most frequently discussed in Brandon’s interviews and established sports reporting.
There is no reliable public confirmation identifying additional brothers or sisters.
Brother: Dylan Bussi
Dylan Bussi is Brandon Bussi’s younger brother.
Dylan is autistic, and Brandon has spoken openly about their close relationship and the influence his brother has had on his life.
In a 2025 interview published by The News & Observer, Brandon described Dylan as an important source of inspiration throughout his hockey career.
He explained that growing up with his brother encouraged him to develop maturity and a stronger sense of responsibility.
The siblings maintained a close connection even after Brandon moved away from Long Island to pursue hockey opportunities.
During his college and professional careers, Brandon began incorporating autism awareness symbols into his goaltending equipment as a tribute to Dylan.
His goalie mask features Dylan’s initials, colorful butterfly imagery, and puzzle-piece designs.
The artwork reflects Brandon’s desire to promote understanding and acceptance of autistic people.
How Dylan Bussi Inspired Brandon’s Charity Work
Brandon has used his NHL platform to support causes connected to autism awareness and acceptance.
In February 2026, the Carolina Hurricanes announced a three-year contract extension for Bussi.
To celebrate the agreement, the Carolina Hurricanes Foundation donated $10,000 to the Autism Society of North Carolina.
The donation honored Brandon’s connection to the autism community through his younger brother.
Brandon and Mary also collaborated with Buddy Hockey Club on a collection of hats featuring the phrase “House Money.”
Proceeds from the project supported Pucks for Autism and the Autism Society of North Carolina.
In an April 2026 interview with WRAL, Brandon explained that he hoped his story would encourage greater understanding of autistic people and their families.
Although Dylan generally stays away from large, noisy hockey events, he joined the family during Brandon’s Stanley Cup celebrations on Long Island in August 2026.
Brandon described sharing the championship with his younger brother as particularly meaningful.
Does Brandon Bussi Have a Sister?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Brandon Bussi has a sister.
His younger brother Dylan is his only sibling identified in the established sports reporting reviewed.
Brandon Bussi’s Family Background and Childhood
Brandon Bussi was born on June 25, 1998, and grew up in Sound Beach, New York, on Long Island.
As a child, he participated in several sports, including ice hockey and baseball.
He played as a catcher in baseball and eventually developed a preference for playing goaltender in hockey.
Brandon attended Miller Place High School, graduating in 2016.
His father helped him develop his goaltending abilities through regular practice sessions and specialized training camps.
After completing high school, Bussi began playing junior hockey away from home.
He represented the Amarillo Bulls of the North American Hockey League and later the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the United States Hockey League.
In 2019, he joined Western Michigan University’s NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey program.
During three seasons with the Broncos, Bussi developed into one of the team’s leading goaltenders.
He helped Western Michigan achieve its first NCAA Tournament victory in program history during the 2021–22 season.
Following his junior season, Bussi signed a professional contract with the Boston Bruins organization in April 2022.
He subsequently played for the Providence Bruins in the American Hockey League.
During the 2022–23 season, he earned selection to the AHL All-Rookie Team and participated in the AHL All-Star Classic.
Despite his success, Bussi remained undrafted and had to earn his professional opportunities through determination and consistent performances.
Brandon Bussi’s Family During His Stanley Cup Championship
In October 2025, the Carolina Hurricanes claimed Brandon Bussi off waivers from the Florida Panthers.
The move unexpectedly created an opportunity for him to compete in the NHL.
He made his NHL debut on October 14, 2025, helping Carolina defeat the San Jose Sharks 5-1.
During the 2025–26 regular season, he established himself as one of the league’s most surprising success stories.
He recorded 31 wins and set multiple NHL records for reaching certain career win milestones in the fewest appearances.
His achievements were especially meaningful to his parents, who had spent years helping him pursue the sport.
During the Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights, Bussi entered Game 3 in relief of Frederik Andersen.
He made his first playoff start in Game 4 and helped Carolina secure a 5-3 victory.
His parents traveled to Las Vegas to support him, while Mary and her family were also present.
On June 14, 2026, Bussi made 22 saves as Carolina defeated Vegas 3-0 in Game 6 to win the Stanley Cup.
He became one of the few goaltenders in NHL history to record a championship-clinching shutout during his first NHL season.
After the game, Brandon celebrated with his parents and Mary, recognizing their contributions to his journey.
In August 2026, he brought the Stanley Cup back to Long Island, sharing the accomplishment with his family, childhood friends, and supporters.
Frequently Asked Questions About Brandon Bussi’s Family
Who is Brandon Bussi’s girlfriend?
Brandon Bussi’s longtime girlfriend was Mary Raclawski, a former Western Michigan University athlete and content creator. They married on July 17, 2026.
Who is Brandon Bussi’s wife?
His wife is Mary Raclawski Bussi. The couple met at Western Michigan University and dated for approximately six and a half years before marrying.
When did Brandon Bussi get married?
Brandon Bussi married Mary Raclawski on July 17, 2026, at Saint Paul’s Parish in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
How did Brandon Bussi meet his wife?
Brandon met Mary at Western Michigan University. They lived in the same residence building, attended a class together, and became friends before beginning their relationship.
Does Brandon Bussi have children?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Brandon Bussi has children.
Who are Brandon Bussi’s parents?
Brandon Bussi’s parents are Robert Bussi and Lisa Bussi, who raised him in Sound Beach, New York.
Who is Brandon Bussi’s father?
Robert Bussi is Brandon’s father. He helped coach his son during childhood and continued supporting his development through junior, college, and professional hockey.
Who is Brandon Bussi’s mother?
Lisa Bussi is Brandon’s mother. She supported his athletic ambitions and helped raise Brandon and his younger brother Dylan.
Does Brandon Bussi have siblings?
Yes. Brandon Bussi has a younger brother named Dylan Bussi, who has been an important influence on his life and charitable activities.
Why does Brandon Bussi have autism awareness symbols on his helmet?
Brandon’s goalie mask features autism awareness and acceptance imagery in honor of his younger brother Dylan. He also supports organizations such as the Autism Society of North Carolina and Pucks for Autism.
Where is Brandon Bussi’s family from?
Brandon Bussi grew up with his family in Sound Beach on Long Island, New York.
Did Brandon Bussi win the Stanley Cup?
Yes. Brandon Bussi won the Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes in June 2026, recording a 22-save shutout in the decisive Game 6 against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Combining a deep passion for hockey with an analytical mindset, Carmen Marins covers the NHL from the opening night of the season all the way through the Stanley Cup playoffs. She focuses on game strategy, team chemistry, trade deadline updates, and player performance metrics, breaking down high-speed ice action into engaging, accessible insights for readers.
