SWFL's Gavin Brindley and Seamus Casey led Michigan to Frozen Four, will face Boston College

Gavin Brindley and Seamus Casey are not the only reason Michigan is in the hunt for a national hockey championship but the sophomores from Estero are a perfect 2 for 2 in the Wolverines reaching the Frozen Four during their tenure.

Brindley and Casey, who were members of Team USA's gold medal squad in the 2024 Word Juniors, are representing Southwest Florida as Michigan prepares to take on Boston College in the NCAA semifinals on Thursday. The game is at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota at 8:30 p.m. and can be seen on ESPN2.

For a team that's been to three straight Frozen Fours without a title, there's a sense of unfinished business this time around.

"Both the past two years, we lost in the first game," Brindley said. "It's been a great three years, and I've only been here for two [years] but you want to win the last game of the year, right? There's been a lot of pain here. Especially last year with the team that we had, and now you have another chance to do it, it's extremely special. Like you can't take it for granted. Not many guys get to do it once in their four-year career in college hockey, let alone that our juniors did it three times so it's pretty impressive."

Brindley, a forward who was drafted 34th overall by Columbus in 2023, was named the Big Ten's Player of the Year this season after posting 23 goals and 24 assists in the regular season. He went on to lead the Wolverines to a berth in the Big Ten Championship against in-state rival Michigan State, where they fell to the Spartans 5-4 in overtime.

The loss marked their fourth this season to the Spartans. For a program with a pedigree like Michigan's, it was another blemish on a season that could be considered less than ideal. But the Wolverines had picked up steam before that loss with wins over Notre Dame and Minnesota and set the table for a rematch in the NCAA Tournament.

"At Christmas time, I don't even think we were in the tournament," Brindley said. "And a month ago, we weren't in the tournament. So it's been a crazy ride, and we went to Minnesota and then swept Notre Dame at home for a shot at the Big Ten championship. I think that was the turning point right there."

When the two teams faced off again in the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals, the Wolverines got the last laugh when it mattered most with a 5-2 win over the Spartans.

"Anytime you get to play [Michigan] State, it's electric," Brindley said. "Around campus, all your teachers are saying good luck and all your classmates are coming up to you and no one likes State around here, so it was definitely an awesome win. A lot of guys played really well, and that was the biggest game of the season."

Brindley netted one goal and one assist in the win that propelled Michigan to the Frozen Four.

Casey, who was out with an injury, says watching that game was unbelievable and believes that it was an exclamation point for a squad that many thought snuck into the tournament with a lackluster record (23-14-3-0).

"Michigan State kind of had our number for most of the year, and I think we were looking at it like we were kind of due for one here," said Casey, who added he will play against Boston College. "And there had been a lot of adversity all year, you know we didn't have the best record... I think we were looked at as underdogs kind of all the way through so it was just awesome to get that win and make it back to the Frozen Four."

Casey, a defenseman, was taken 46th overall by New Jersey in the 2022 Entry Draft. He tallied seven goals and 38 assists on the way to being named an All-Big Ten First Team this year.

The Wolverines have a unique set of motivating factors heading into their matchup with Boston College (33-5-1-0, 20-3-1-0).

On one hand, this Wolverine squad has taken lumps all year. Its record isn't necessarily indicative of the talent on the roster, and they've dropped several close games. The idea of being underdogs has fueled players in the Michigan locker room.

"It's definitely a little bit of a different feeling than we've had the past couple of years where you're a No. 1 or No. 3 seed going into the tournament," Brindley said. "It's awesome. We beat North Dakota, who was the fifth-ranked team, and Michigan State was No. 3, so we're pretty confident with ourselves right now."

On the other hand, Michigan is a storied program with an NCAA record 28 all-time appearances in the Frozen Four and nine national titles but none since 1998. There are championship expectations when you suit up for the Maize and Blue - especially when you're in your third Frozen Four in three years.

"It's an honor to have expectations, and be in the position where you're expected to do good things on the ice," Casey said. "It's a good pressure. You want that pressure and hopefully, we keep feeding on that as we get deeper in the tournament. That's why you come to Michigan, to play in big games. It's what we love to do."

And for the former Jr. Everblades players, the idea of being in this position for a hockey powerhouse makes the opportunity that much sweeter. Casey says the chance to play at this level wearing the Block M has been surreal.

"Me and Gavin, we believed in ourselves when we were young," Casey said. "Our parents always told us that the sky's the limit and to work hard. But at the same time, there was no one really [committing to Michigan]. There were guys older than us that were playing at great schools and playing pro hockey but when we were really young it didn't feel like that. But hopefully, now some kids are seeing it doesn't matter where you're from. And the hockey down there is taking off so that's awesome."

The Brindley name has its own legacy in the area. Gavin's father, Ryan, played in the ECHL and AHL for 13 seasons. He played five seasons with the Everblades, including two as a captain, from 2003-2007 and again for one season in 2012. Gavin doesn't regret staying home longer than most to grow as a hockey player.

"I stayed until I was 15 years old, and I wouldn't have it any other way," said Brindley, who left Florida in 2020 to play Junior Hockey in the United States Hockey League. "That was as late as I could've stayed, and it was incredible... It's definitely cool to see what my dad has done, and it's just pretty cool to go back and skate at Hertz Arena, the same rink I grew up skating in and where my dad played professionally. It's always good to get back there and it's pretty cool to be from Florida, for sure."

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Frozen Four: Estero's Gavin Brindley and Seamus Casey lead Michigan to NCAA semifinal