Gavin Brindley Bio
Gavin Brindley (born October 5, 2004) is an American professional ice hockey player who plays as a right winger for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the second round, 34th overall, by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. Brindley previously played college ice hockey at Michigan, where he developed into one of the top young forwards in the NCAA before turning professional in 2024.
Standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 170 pounds, Brindley is recognized for his speed, playmaking, and competitive edge. After parts of one season with the Blue Jackets organization, he was traded to the Colorado Avalanche in June 2025 and is currently under contract through the 2026-27 season.
Early Life and Background
Gavin Brindley was born on October 5, 2004, in Estero, Florida. He grew up in a family with strong ties to the sport of ice hockey, an unusual background for a young athlete raised in a warm-weather state. His father, Ryan Brindley, is originally from Thunder Bay, Ontario, and played college ice hockey at Miami University from 1996 to 1999 before going on to a professional career that lasted eight years.
Following his playing days, Ryan Brindley founded Southeast Elite Hockey in Florida, where he continues to serve as director. The organization helped introduce and develop youth hockey talent in a non-traditional market, and Gavin was among the early beneficiaries of his father’s coaching and mentorship. The combination of family guidance and a unique training environment in Florida helped shape Brindley into a promising prospect from a young age.
Path to Hockey
Brindley’s competitive junior career began in the United States Hockey League (USHL) with the Tri-City Storm, where he spent two seasons developing his game. During the 2020-21 season, he recorded nine goals and 13 assists in 51 games. He elevated his production the following year, finishing the 2021-22 season with 14 goals and 28 assists in 51 games while helping the Storm capture the Anderson Cup as the top regular-season team in the league.
His strong play in the USHL and on the international stage attracted attention from NCAA programs, and Brindley committed to the Michigan Wolverines. He also represented the United States at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics, earning a silver medal with one goal and one assist in four games. These early experiences prepared him for the next step in his development at the collegiate level.
Gavin Brindley Career
College Career at Michigan (2022-2024)
Brindley began his collegiate career with the Michigan Wolverines during the 2022-23 season. He recorded his first career point with an assist in the season-opening game against Lindenwood on October 7, 2022, and notched his first goal a week later against Boston University on October 14, 2022. He finished his freshman campaign with 12 goals and 26 assists in 41 games and helped Michigan reach the Frozen Four. At the 2023 Big Ten tournament, he assisted on both the game-tying and game-winning goals in the championship game as Michigan won its second consecutive tournament title, and he set a Big Ten tournament record with seven assists in a single tournament.
During his sophomore season in 2023-24, Brindley emerged as one of the top scorers in college hockey. He was named Big Ten Scoring Champion with 12 goals and 17 assists in 23 conference games, becoming the fifth Wolverine to lead the conference in scoring. He finished the year with 25 goals and 28 assists in 40 games, ranking sixth in goals and eighth in points among all NCAA players. His strong play earned him Big Ten Player of the Year, All-Big Ten First Team, and AHCA West First Team All-American honors.
Columbus Blue Jackets (2024-2025)
On April 15, 2024, Brindley signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He made his NHL debut the following day in the Blue Jackets’ final regular-season game against the Carolina Hurricanes. His first full professional season began on a difficult note when he suffered a broken finger in a preseason game on October 1, 2024, leading to a stint on injured reserve. He was activated and loaned to the Blue Jackets’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters, on November 14, 2024.
Colorado Avalanche Era (2025-Present)
On June 27, 2025, Brindley’s tenure with the Blue Jackets ended when he was traded to the Colorado Avalanche, along with a second-round and a third-round pick, in exchange for Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood. He quickly found his footing in Colorado, scoring his first NHL goal against the Dallas Stars on October 11, 2025. He followed that with his first game-winning goal on November 9, 2025, scored in overtime against the Vancouver Canucks. On November 11, 2025, Brindley signed a two-year contract extension with the Avalanche. In March 2026, he was assigned to the Colorado Eagles of the AHL.
Driving Style and Strengths
Brindley is widely regarded as a quick, competitive, and intelligent two-way forward. His skating, forechecking ability, and playmaking vision have been central to his success at every level. He has shown a willingness to play in all situations and continues to refine his game against grown men at the professional level, drawing on the offensive creativity he displayed during his time at Michigan.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Brindley’s signature achievements are his first NHL goal, his first NHL game-winning goal, and his Big Ten tournament record for assists in a single tournament. He also reached the Frozen Four in his freshman year and was a key contributor on consecutive Big Ten championship teams at Michigan.
Gavin Brindley International Play
Brindley has been a consistent presence in United States Hockey programming. He won a silver medal at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics, added another silver at the 2022 IIHF World U18 Championships, captured bronze at the 2023 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, and won gold at the 2024 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, where he recorded six goals and four assists in seven games. He also made his senior national team debut at the 2024 IIHF World Championship, recording one goal in five games.
Gavin Brindley Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Brindley comes from a hockey family. His father, Ryan Brindley, played college ice hockey at Miami University from 1996 to 1999 and then professionally for eight years. Ryan, originally from Thunder Bay, Ontario, founded Southeast Elite Hockey in Florida, an organization that has helped grow the game in a non-traditional market. Gavin credits his father as a major influence on his development as a player.
Personal Life
Brindley continues to be closely connected to his family, including his father, who remains active in hockey development in Florida. Details of his personal relationships are not publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Brindley’s 2025 calendar year was defined by change and new beginnings. After being traded to the Colorado Avalanche in late June, he quickly integrated into his new organization and contributed offensively early in the season. He scored his first NHL goal against the Dallas Stars on October 11, 2025, and added his first game-winning goal in overtime against the Vancouver Canucks on November 9, 2025.
His early production and strong work ethic helped solidify his role within the Avalanche lineup, leading to a two-year contract extension on November 11, 2025. The season also included international experience, as he represented the United States at the 2024 IIHF World Championship earlier in the year, recording one goal in five games.
As the year progressed, Brindley was assigned to the Colorado Eagles of the AHL in March 2026, continuing his development as a young professional. His trajectory suggests he remains a key part of Colorado’s long-term plans, with his speed, skill, and competitive nature pointing toward an increasingly important role with the Avalanche in the seasons ahead.
