Brindley learning to master every phase of game ahead of 2023 NHL Draft

The 2023 NHL Draft is scheduled to be held at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on June 28-29. Every two weeks, NHL.com will take a closer look at some of the draft-eligible players to watch.

Gavin Brindley likes to think of himself as the best chess player on the ice.
"Being able to process plays and make up plays in your head before they're going to happen is the biggest thing for me," said the University of Michigan freshman forward. "The speed and hockey sense required are probably the two biggest areas that are needed to play college hockey."
Brindley (5-foot-8, 165 pounds), a B-rated forward on
NHL Central Scouting's preliminary players to watch list
presented by BioSteel, has 10 points (one goal, nine assists) in 20 games. The 18-year-old right-handed shot can play wing or center.
He's looking to impress the USA Hockey staff this week during selection camp and earn a spot with the United States at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship, to be held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Moncton, New Brunswick, from Dec. 26-Jan. 5.
"He's playing 19-20 minutes a night, and the knock that people who don't know Gavin say he's not putting up big numbers," Michigan interim coach Brandon Naurato said. "But he's playing in all situations, on the 3-on-5 or 4-on-5 penalty kill, the power play, 5-on-5. He doesn't have the engine to go as much as we're playing him, to be honest, but the offense can be taught. It's not like any of these kids are defensive juggernauts, so that's why they're on the PK; we want to round out his game.
"If we just cared about Gavin getting points for his draft status, I can manipulate that very easily. But that doesn't help Gavin down the road. This helps Gavin down the road ... way more. He'll get his points."
Brindley appreciates any ice time he gets.
"I'm not the biggest guy, so a big thing is to be the hardest worker all the time," he said. "I just love being on the ice, and to have the opportunity to play PK, power play and be able to make an impact is crucial. I definitely don't take those opportunities for granted."

Brindley had 64 points (23 goals, 41 assists) in 102 games with Tri-City of the United States Hockey League games the past two seasons, and had nine points (two goals, seven assists) in 15 games with USA Hockey National Team Development Program Under-18 team last season.
"I really like how fast he is, he has a lot of pop during the game and is super reliable," Michigan sophomore defenseman Luke Hughes (New Jersey Devils) said. "He finds you when you're open and has a pretty good shot too. But I think his entries in the offensive zone are a key thing, possessing the puck and making good plays."
It wasn't always like that for Brindley, but Naurato has been able to give him options upon entering the offensive zone.
"He's such an elite skater and a great driver of possession," Naurato said. "He'll take it to the net, but the one thing we've been working on with him is more delay moves. He's good at backing defenders up with his speed, but there's times when he can pull up and hit the late guy ... they don't always have to finish at the net."
Rand Pecknold, who will coach the U.S. at the WJC, likes Brindley's versatility and his ability on the penalty kill.
"He can skate and is very conscientious in terms of defending," Pecknold said. "He wants to play both sides of the puck, which is good. I worked with him a little bit in practice on his face-offs, and he knows that's something he needs to work on."
Brindley was asked if he had any secrets to slowing Michigan teammate Adam Fantilli, a forward projected to be a top-three pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. Fantilli will play for Canada at the 2023 WJC.
"He's an intense guy like myself, so I'd say get a couple whacks in on him," Brindley said. "Get a good stick in there and hopefully he loses the puck or you're able to get it. But he's quite the player."

PROSPECTS ON THE RADAR (listed alphabetically):

Ryan Leonard (5-11, 190), RW, USA U-18 (NTDP): The A-rated skater on Central Scouting's preliminary players to watch list is fourth on the NTDP with 34 points (20 goals, 14 assists) and is tied for first with seven power-play goals in 24 games. Leonard, committed to Boston College in 2023-24, is at USA Hockey select camp this week competing for a spot at the WJC.
"He plays a physical game, but it's also just that power and his skating and his ability to separate," NTDP U-18 coach Dan Muse said. "Combine that with his stick skills and shot and he's been able to create a lot off of that combination."
Charlie Stramel (6-3, 212), C, Wisconsin (NCAA): Stramel is one of 16 forwards competing at USA Hockey select camp for a spot at the WJC. The right-handed shot, an A-rated skater on Central Scouting's preliminary players to watch list, has seven points (four goals, three assists) in 18 NCAA games.
"He's been really good at camp," Pecknold said. "He's kind of regained his confidence a little bit, and he's such a big, physical player and has a presence. He's got a great stick and is really good on the penalty kill with his stick details. He's a really good face-off guy too."
Trey Augustine (6-1, 183), G, USA U-18 (NTDP): Augustine, who is committed to Michigan State in 2023-24, is a B-rated goalie on Central Scouting's preliminary players to watch list. He's one of four goalies at USA Hockey select camp vying for a WJC roster spot. Augustine is 12-0-2 with a 2.10 goals-against average and .930 save percentage in 14 NTDP games.
"He's only 17 years old but his preparation is one of the very best I've ever seen from a player his age," Muse said. "He's so strong technically, but there's a calming presence with the way he plays the game."
Photos: Rena Laverty, NTDP; Michigan Photography