Gavin Brindley is Adam Fantilli’s favorite 2023 NHL Draft prospect – and maybe yours soon, too

Gavin Brindley (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)

Credit: (Photo by Steven Ellis/Daily Fac

Adam Fantilli wasted no time telling the media who the most underrated prospect in the NHL Draft is.

“Gavin Brindley.”

That’s one way to pump your teammate’s tires.

It didn’t take long for the two to click as close friends. Both were going through the NHL Draft process after facing off against each other for two years in the USHL. Fantilli stood out between the two, but Brindley packed a big punch in a small frame that didn’t seem to slow him down with Tri-City.

Both entered the 2022-23 season as freshmen on an exciting Michigan Wolverines squad. Fantilli was the star of the show, leading the nation in scoring and taking home the Hobey Baker Award, but Brindley had one heck of a season himself. Of the core four first-year eligible NCAA prospects (Fantilli, Brindley, Matthew Wood and Charlie Stramel), Brindley had the second most points at 38. That was the second-best output of a draft-eligible prospect over the past five years, and third behind Fantilli and Jack Eichel (71 points in 2014-15) over the past decade.

If you’re keeping track, that’s pretty decent.

“Getting to play with him this year was absolutely amazing,” Fantilli said. “His compete level and his brain and how much he loves the game is phenomenal. I always say he’s the best locker room guy I’ve ever played with.”

Brindley struggled in the first half of the season, starting the year with five points in three games before putting up five over the next 17 games. A decent showing for him at the World Junior Championship with USA seemed to spark new life in his game, including 14 points in his next nine games back from winning bronze.

“I think I felt a little bit more comfortable (in the second half),” Brindley said. “I think the first half was a lack of execution on my part, I had a lot of chances. The second half, I just executed it and found my game a little more, which is nice.”

Few prospects compete as hard as Brindley to win the puck at both ends. His commitment to having the puck on his stick is second to none, and he does it confidently. Going 1-on-1 against older, bigger, stronger competition has never bothered him.

Brindley uses his speed to create chances. Whether it’s using it to burst down the ice or to take time and space away from opponents, it’s such an important aspect of his game. He’s not the fastest straight-line skater, but he’s light on his feet and has a motor that never stops working. That helps him in his transition game, with his speed and quick footwork allowing him to quickly adjust to fend off an attacker.

“I love to play fast, and I think my skating is one of my biggest attributes,” Brindley said. “Being able to skate and play with pace and play with some speed is where I’m most dangerous.”

Brindley’s two-way game benefits from his strong skating.

“The best words to describe Gavin are ‘versatile’ and ‘evasive,’ with and without the puck,” a scout said. “He’s committed to his craft and helping his team win. He’s a team-first guy. You like seeing that. And I feel like he’s willing to play anywhere in a lineup for a team.”

Smaller players always need to find ways to make up for their lack of size somehow. Brindley is just 5-foot-9 and 175 pounds, but he’s not your traditional smaller prospect. He’s jacked, and there’s some significant power behind his game. If we’ve learned anything in recent years, it’s that hard-working, fast-skating, dynamic two-way forwards like Brindley can find a home. Brindley can play center and on the wing, but with a smaller frame, he seems more likely to land on the wing, with the option to be a switch hitter.

Brindley’s tenacious style comes from his dad, Ryan Brindley. Ryan was a physical force at Miami University (Ohio) before starting a 10-year professional career. At 5-foot-10, he wasn’t one of the taller players out there, but he used all of his 205-pound mass every time he could. Stylistically, they are nowhere close: Ryan was a physical defenseman, and Gavin is a speedy, two-way center. But Gavin said having a father with a pro hockey background was helpful.

“I’m a teenager so I might not want to listen to him all the time, but his advice is awesome,” the younger Brindley said.

Brindley’s talents often amazed the scouts that flocked to Michigan to watch Fantilli. If he was a few inches taller, and maybe not stuck behind one of the best NCAA prospects in recent memory, Brindley would have been much closer to the top 10 conversation. That’s out of his control, but building upon his strong freshman season isn’t. With the potential for Fantilli to turn pro next season, it could be what Brindley needs to take control of his destiny.

Another year or two of college hockey will definitely help. But after that? Unleash the beast.

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Gavin Brindley is Adam Fantilli’s favorite 2023 NHL Draft prospect – and maybe yours soon, too

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