The Sideline Seat

Sent every Tuesday to build better leaders and teams.

Sports Story of the Week

Always Be Ready

Frederik Anderson. Brandon Bussi. The two goalies that together created a Stanley Cup Championship Season. I know there are two Carolina Hurricanes posts pretty close together but come on... We all need something to cheer for and this is a pretty special moment for our family, and Canes fans sooooooo.. Here we go.

We have a tradition every year that as an extended family, with my parents and brother's family in Raleigh, attend a Hurricane's regular season hockey game. That happened on December 14th, 2025. We picked the date based on nothing but logistics. We went to the game to make memories for our family and fell in love with Goaltender Bussi. After the Shootout that night, Bussi improved to 11-1-0, making him the fastest goaltender in NHL history to reach 11 career wins. Then, we watched the hockey games the rest of the season, enjoyed cheering for the Hurricanes potential, tried REALLY hard to order Bussi jerseys for Christmas with little success, and moved along with our life full of youth sports. Anderson came back in goal. We watched, we cheered. Then came the Championship series.

It was the Eastern Finals. If you are followers from this newsletter, you know. We went to Eastern Finals in Raleigh. Bucket List. Anderson wasn't great-they won, but signs were there, Anderson was solid, but not at his best. Then came the Stanley Cup finals.

For days there had been questions about who coach Rod Brind’Amour would start in net, Andersen had been removed from Game 3 in the third period after allowing four goals on 16 shots. As an athletic trainer, who has been in many many of locker rooms, I can't imagine what that was like. Its the intermission of the 3rd period. of Game 3. Of the STANLEY CUP FINALS. That locker room certainly had some feelings. If only the walls could talk.

Bussi would then go out and take the loss in a 5-4 double overtime defeat. However, whatever was going on with with Anderson, it was clear to the observers that Bussi had done enough to get the start in Game 4, the first playoff start of his career. In that game he earned the win with 18 saves in a 5-3 victory. He went on to get the wine in the next 2 games that sealed the Stanley Cup for the Canes in 6.

I am not sure where to start with the lessons from this sports story. Do we start with Brandon Bussi, overlooked, under appreciated, undervalued, and then when needed- completely clutch team player.

Or maybe Anderson. Humble. Injured. Collaborative. Anderson left in the middle of the game. There was little drama from the Hurricanes, certainly suspense, but very little drama. Anderson took third Goalie warm up duties. For the duration of the series, it seemed to us spectators that Anderson was also on the outside looking in.

Then it happened. Sunday. June 14, 2026. Canes win in 6 or the Las Vegas Knights force a game 7 in Raleigh.

Bussi starts in Goal. Canes Win. Stanley Cup. Save the drama. Cue the Impact. When that revered Sir Stanley Cup was held over everyones head, the captain, Jordan Staal, concluded his Victory lap by handing the cup over to not Bussi- not that star- not that name- but to Anderson- who might not have been the man of the hour, but was certainly the man of the moment.

There is never one hero in a Championship Team. Never. It truly takes a team, support staff, stars, unknowns, fans, or in Jarvie's Case maybe even some "Bros". But a Championship team knows that. They step to the moment that they are called for. They deliver. Then, they pass the cup.

We have so much we can learn from this. From Anderson. From Bussi, From Coach Brind’Amour. But here are 3 below.

3 Lessons to learn from Bussi vs. Anderson:

1. Stay "Game-Ready" in the Shadows.

Brandon Bussi spent much of his time prior to this overlooked and undervalued. Being called a "diamond in the rough." . Playing backup until the absolute highest-stakes moment arrived. If he hadn't been practicing with the same intensity as a starter, he would have crumbled under the pressure of the Stanley Cup Finals. You cannot wait for the promotion or the crisis to start preparing. "Stay ready so you don't have to get ready" is a funny saying, but also a competitive advantage. Organizations need to foster a culture where "bench players" are actively developed so they can step up and execute flawlessly when called upon. Because you Just. Never. Know.

2.Recognize the "Man of the Moment" not the "Man of the Hour"

The final image of Jordan Staal handing the Cup to Andersen first, rather than Bussi, is the ultimate lesson in recognition. Bussi won the final games sure, he was by all means "the man of the hour", but Andersen’s humility, his grit, and his lack of drama created the safe culture that allowed Bussi to succeed, to become "the man of the moment" When celebrating a major company milestone or a massive sales win, don't just reward the person who closed the deal. Publicly recognize the steady, supportive team members behind the scenes who held the foundation together. Acknowledging the "unsung heroes" ensures that everyone stays motivated to win together next time. Even those athletic trainers want to hoist the Stanley Cup over their head.

3. Great leaders know when to make the hard call

Coach Rod Brind'Amour had to bench his veteran goalie in the Stanley Cup Finals and trust an unproven playoff rookie. He had been there. Played in that game. Won that trophy. He chose to bench the safe choice. That takes courage. In business, you'll face moments where data, instinct, or circumstances demand a change that feels risky or uncomfortable. Great leaders don't avoid those decisions. They make them, communicate them, portray confidence in them and most importantly, they stand behind them.

The Pep Talk:

"Your opportunity won't send a calendar invite. Nobody cares whether you're the starter or the backup when the moment to be a champion arrives. They care whether you're ready. If you are prepared. So, trust your teammates, make the hard plays when your number is called, and when the job is done, pass the credit- because championships are won by teams, not heroes."

-Katie Beach