The Bruins have dipped back into the college free agent market, announcing on Wednesday that they have signed Western Michigan goalie Brandon Bussi to a one-year entry-level contract for the 2022-23 season. The deal has an NHL cap hit of $825,000.
Bussi will report to the AHL Providence Bruins for the remainder of this season on an amateur tryout agreement.
Bussi, 23, just wrapped up his junior season with the Broncos. He started all 39 games, posting a 26-12-1 record, .912 save percentage and 2.55 goals-against average for a team that earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Bussi stopped 30 of the 31 shots he faced in Western Michigan's opening-round overtime win over Northeastern in Worcester on Friday -- the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament win. The Broncos fell 3-0 to Minnesota in the regional final on Sunday, with Bussi making 23 saves on 25 shots. Bruins general manager Don Sweeney was in Worcester for the regional.
Bussi is listed at 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds. He catches with his right hand and is regarded as an athletic goalie (especially for his size) who's a good battler, but who also still needs some technical refinement.
Bussi will compete with Kyle Keyser and Troy Grosenick for playing time in Providence. Keyser, 23, has struggled a bit this season, going 10-11-6 with a .905 save percentage and 2.82 GAA. Grosenick has been better (14-4-3, .929, 2.03), but he's also 32 and doesn't figure to be part of the long-term equation for the organization. Bussi adds more young depth and could have a chance to become the next man up behind Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark.
Bussi is the second college free agent the Bruins have signed this season, joining Boston College center/right wing Marc McLaughlin, who has been practicing with the big club but has yet to make his NHL debut. Boston also traded for the rights to Providence College defenseman Michael Callahan, who signed with the team once the Friars' season ended and has played five games with the P-Bruins.
Here are some highlights of Bussi to enjoy:
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