Brindley is “Climbing the Ladder” Back to the NHL
By Emily Downs
Nov 13, 2026
Most American Hockey League players have a dream to play in the National Hockey League. Gavin Brindley’s goal is different: Get back there.
Brindley played 56 games with the Avalanche during the 2025-26 season, plus a handful of games in the 2026-27 season. He has had a spot in the big leagues before, but he recognizes the intense competition for that spot.
“The Avalanche have got a great team, and a lot of really good players. It'd be great to be there, but I think, you know, I’ve got to develop, and I'm still young, so, I just kind of need to keep climbing the ladder and see what happens,” Brindley said.
The NHL and the AHL are two different games, but Brindley is embracing the differences and is grateful to be able to spend time in both leagues.
“I think the NHL is different, and it's good to experience that. I think it's been good to come down here and produce and get some chemistry going with these guys,” Brindley said. “I think just getting used to the pro game and the pace of things is a big adjustment, everything's a step up when you get to the NHL.”
Brindley has learned a lot from his time in the NHL, and he is bringing some of it back with him to the AHL. He said that the best part of his game definitely comes from NHL experience.
“I think my awareness is the best part of my game. My hockey IQ, and obviously, my speed. I’ve always kind of had that and it’s something that I’ve got to use to my advantage. But I'd say my surroundings and IQ are what I’m most proud of,” Brindley said.
Not only has Brindley experienced a fair amount of NHL play, he has played with some of the league’s best players on his previous teams.
He won Gold during the 2023-24 USA U20 World Juniors Championship alongside notable players including Cutter Gauthier, Will Smith, Lane Hutson, and his lifelong friend Seamus Casey. He says he has learned a lot from these players.
“Obviously, they're very successful players and have done a great job in the best league in the world, so it's been fun to watch those guys. We have a pretty cool bond of winning a championship together, and we had a pretty loaded team, so we were fortunate to get it done,” Brindley said. “When you get on the ice with a lot of those guys, it's pretty special. It's pretty cool to watch these guys and see what they've been doing their whole life, translating to the NHL, and it’s just fun to watch.”
Despite playing with some of the top players in the league, Brindley would choose to play with his close friend Seamus Casey out of all of his previous teammates.
“My best buddy, Seamus Casey, it's always nice to play against him. I’ve known him since I was 4, we went to Michigan together, played world juniors together. It’s always special to play against him in pro, and hopefully we can play together one day,” Brindley said.
Additionally, Brindley had a chance to play alongside his current Colorado Eagles teammate, Sean Behrens, during the 2023 USA U20 World Juniors Championship where they placed third. Brindley said they “have a great relationship” and it was nice to have a friendly face around when joining the Eagles.
Brindley represented the 2024 World Juniors team as an alternate captain and has taken some of that leadership onto the ice for the Eagles. He focuses on helping the younger guys feel comfortable and embraces that form of his leadership in the locker room.
“The younger guys are great, I think, just helping those guys, helping them feel comfortable. I remember I was 19 playing in the American League, and it's not easy. It's not easy to be playing so young, so I'm just helping those guys as much as I can. And they've been doing a great job,” Brindley said.
With some natural-born leaders in the locker room, Brindley has great influences to help bring his leadership qualities to the next level.
“We’ve got a lot of great leaders, and a lot of older guys that have paved the way. Learning from guys like Megs (Jayson Megna) and Mids (Keaton Middleton), Becks (Adam Beckman) and Vin (Vinnie Hinostroza), they're all great, great leaders, so we got a lot of really good leaders in that locker room,” Brindley said. “It's been good to just ride those guys' coattails and kind of learn new things every day.”
Brindley is a hard-working player and is focused on bettering his game to earn his spot on the Avalanche. He chooses not to focus on his statistics, but rather his overall game.
“I think if you play the right way, you get rewarded. I just focus on that, and I don’t keep holding on to the little details,” Brindley said.
He hopes to get a spot on the Avalanche as soon as possible but truly enjoys his time in the AHL. He loves hockey, so he is grateful to have had an opportunity to play in both leagues.
“I think at the end of the day, it's just another game and you know, it's the game that I love,” Brindley said. “When you play in the NHL, it's amazing and everything you've ever dreamed of. But at the same time, the American Hockey League's a great league and a great development league and I’ve still got a lot to learn.”
