The Colorado Avalanche lost one of their forwards on Thursday night, as center Gavin Brindley exited the game against the New York Rangers, after taking a hit and promptly leaving the bench. 

The 21-year-old did not return to the bench for the remainder of the first period. However, he came out onto the ice to start the second period, but quickly left to go to the locker room for a second time. 

The Avalanche confirmed midgame that he would not return to the contest.

While he ended the night with a mere 2:47 of ice time in four shifts, the Avalanche forged ahead with 11 forwards, mixing the lines in his absence as they waited for an update on his condition. Should he be out for an extended period, he would join other injured Colorado forwards, Valeri Nichushkin, and Joel Kiviranta.

Brindley recently signed a two-year contract extension with the Avalanche and has four goals and seven points in 18 games this season. 

A native of Fort Myers, Fla., Brindley was a second round pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2023 NHL Draft, and signed an entry-level contract in 2024. He played his first pro season in the AHL with the Cleveland Monsters in 2024-25, before joining the Avalanche organization ahead of the 2025-26 campaign. 

Before embarking on his professional hockey journey, he played two seasons with the University of Michigan Wolverines, where he scored 25 goals and 53 points in his final season in 2023-24. 

He has also found success on the international stage, winning a gold medal with Team USA at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship, where he scored six goals and 10 points. He also represented his nation at the 2024 IIHF Men’s World Championship. 

The Avalanche entered Thursday’s contest with a significant lead atop the Central Division, and will wait for an update on Brindley as they look ahead to their final five November contests, which begin with the Nashville Predators, Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks.