Brandon Bussi has made Suffolk County sports history.

The Sound Beach native and Carolina Hurricanes goaltender has been named the inaugural Suffolk County Sportsperson of the Year, a new recognition from the Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame honoring individuals who achieve at the highest levels of sport while bringing pride and distinction to the region.

Bussi was formally recognized at The Rinx in Hauppauge during his Stanley Cup celebration on Long Island, where he brought hockey’s most iconic trophy back to the rink where his journey in the sport began.

The recognition comes after Bussi became the first Suffolk County native to win the Stanley Cup as a player, establishing a milestone that will forever hold a special place in the region’s sports history.

“The Sportsperson of the Year award allows us to celebrate champions and individuals who make Suffolk County proud at the highest levels while those moments are happening,” said Chris R. Vaccaro, president of the Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame. “Hall of Fame recognition often comes near the end of a career or years after someone has made their impact. This is different. Brandon set the standard for what this honor can represent, and there was no better person to be its inaugural recipient.”

Bussi’s Stanley Cup homecoming at The Rinx was particularly meaningful because of his deep connection to the facility and the Long Island hockey community. The celebration brought his journey full circle, from developing as a young player on Long Island to reaching the pinnacle of professional hockey.

Bussi’s accomplishment also comes during a period of significant growth for Long Island hockey, with a rising generation of players from the region competing at elite collegiate, professional, and international levels.

The Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame preserves and promotes Suffolk County’s rich sports history while honoring the athletes, coaches, administrators, officials, media members, and contributors who have made a lasting impact on sports throughout the region.