{"id":5426,"date":"2025-10-08T03:29:57","date_gmt":"2025-10-08T03:29:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jubi24.com\/?p=5426"},"modified":"2025-10-08T03:29:58","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T03:29:58","slug":"avalanches-gavin-brindley-making-most-of-fresh-start","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jubi24.com\/?p=5426","title":{"rendered":"Avalanche’s Gavin Brindley making most of fresh start"},"content":{"rendered":"


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LOS ANGELES \u2014 The Colorado Avalanche<\/a> has already collected an easy victory at the start of this season \u2014 best birthday present for Gavin Brindley<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Brindley turned 21 years old on Sunday. He found out he\u2019s on the Avalanche opening-night roster Monday, and he\u2019s in the lineup Tuesday against the Los Angeles Kings.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just surreal,\u201d Brindley said. \u201cIt\u2019s exciting. It\u2019s fun. This is the best job in the world. I\u2019m very thankful and pretty ecstatic.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meet the 2025-26 Colorado Avalanche: A breakdown of the complete team roster<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Brindley joined the organization in late June, when Colorado sent Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood to the Columbus Blue Jackets to help open up some salary cap flexibility. A second-round pick in the 2023 NHL draft, Brindley had an excellent two-year career at the University of Michigan, followed by a disappointing first professional season with the Blue Jackets’ AHL affiliate.<\/p>\n

Still, the Avs were high on Brindley in his draft year and excited to add him in the trade. That doesn’t mean the organization was expecting him to show up at training camp and win a spot on the roster.<\/p>\n

“He played great. He was highly competitive,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said. “He’s got a great motor. He’s relentless on pucks. And I think he has a skillset that he’s shown in flashes in games that he can make plays under pressure, and the moment’s not too big for him. He doesn’t look intimidated at all. I mean, he went and made most of his opportunities through camp and through exhibitions. So he’s earned the right to be in the lineup.”<\/p>\n

Brindley was the Big Ten player of the year as a sophomore at Michigan, on a Wolverines team that included top prospects Frank Nazar and Rutger McGroarty. That came after a strong freshman season with a roster that included Adam Fantilli and Luke Hughes.<\/p>\n

He might be diminutive in stature, but Brindley has plenty of experience playing with some of the best players at his level. He also had some of his best games in the biggest moments.<\/p>\n

“Just a student of the game, a hockey nerd,” Michigan coach Brandon Naurato said. “I think he\u2019s a natural leader. He\u2019s a special player and a special person. His energy is contagious. He brings guys with him. When he walks into a room, it\u2019s all positive energy and vibes.”<\/p>\n

Brindley’s first pro season began with an injury and a slow start. It didn’t end the way he wanted, with six goals and 17 points in 52 games.<\/p>\n

He was young for the league, but the Avs have provided him with a fresh start. And he’s run with it.<\/p>\n

Brindley had three goals and an assist in four preseason games. He played on a line with Avs captain Gabe Landeskog in the opener at Magness Arena, earned praise for his performance and just kept playing well.<\/p>\n

Keeler: Avalanche roster hasn\u2019t been this old since 2007. Will time, and Stanley Cup, finally be on GM Chris MacFarland\u2019s side?<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Now, he’ll have another chance to celebrate his birthday at Crypto.com Arena. It won’t be his first NHL game. He played one for the Blue Jackets at the end of the 2023-24 season after signing his entry-level contract.<\/p>\n