Columbus Blue Jackets’ sign Gavin Brindley to entry-level contract
The Columbus Blue Jackets announced that they have signed right wing Gavin Brindley to a three-year, entry-level contract beginning with the 2023-24 season. The contract has an average annual value (AAV) of $950,000.
Brindley was selected No. 34 overall in the second round of the 2023 NHL Draft and is expected to make his National Hockey League (NHL) debut on Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes.
IT’S OFFICIAL! 🤩
We have signed First Team All-American forward Gavin Brindley to a three-year entry level contract!
📝 https://t.co/NtYVC3Ym4o@RuoffMortgage | #CBJ pic.twitter.com/XZf9lTHhDc
Brindley spent the 2023-24 regular season with the Univeristy of Michigan Wolverines in the NCAA where he notched 25 goals and 28 assists for 53 points in 40 games leading Wolverines skaters. Brindley was named an NCAA First Team All-American, Big Ten First All-Star Team and the league’s Player of the Year after finishing tied for sixth among NCAA leaders in goals. Brindley led Michigan in scoring and ranked second in goals and fourth in assists, leading the Wolverines to the 2024 NCAA Frozen Four.
During the 2022-23 regular season, Brindley finished fifth on the team in scoring — right behind NHL first-round picks Mackie Samoskevich (Florida Panthers) and Rutger McGroarty (Winnipeg Jets) — and helped Michigan reach the Frozen Four. Throughout his two seasons at Michigan, the 19-year-old notched 37 goals and 54 assists for 91 points with 50 penalty minutes in 81 NCAA games.
The Estero, Florida product represented Team USA at the World Juniors in 2023 and 2024 and helped lead the Americans to a gold medal victory in 2024. Brindley scored six goals and added four assists for 10 points in seven games, he was named a World Juniors Top-3 Player on Team USA.
Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis highlighted Brindely as one of his Top five NHL prospects who could turn pro after NCAA championship.