Gavin Bayreuther

Gavin Bayreuther (born May 12, 1994) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played for the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Playing career
Bayreuther grew up in Canaan, New Hampshire, attended a preparatory middle-school Cardigan Mountain School. Bayreuther then attended Holderness School, located in Plymouth, NH. He played four seasons at St. Lawrence University, where he was named to the NCAA East Second All-American Team and ECAC First All-Team during his junior and senior seasons.

After his senior season, Bayreuther signed with the Dallas Stars as an undrafted free agent on March 15, 2017, and was assigned to the Texas Stars after training camp. On November 15, 2018, he was called up to Dallas after Marc Methot was placed on injured reserve. He recorded his first career NHL goal on November 23, in a 6–4 win over the Ottawa Senators.

On October 10, 2020, Bayreuther was signed as a free agent to a one-year, two-way contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets. In the pandemic delayed season, Bayreuther split time between the Blue Jackets and AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters. In 9 games with the Blue Jackets, Bayreuther collected one goal from the blueline.

On July 21, 2021, Bayreuther was selected from the Blue Jackets at the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft by the Seattle Kraken. In a surprise selection as an impending free agent, Bayreuther's tenure with the Kraken was short lived, as he returned to the Blue Jackets in signing a two-year contract on July 28, 2021.

On July 2, 2023, Bayreuther signed a one-year, league minimum ($775,000) contract to return to the Dallas Stars.

Personal life
Bayreuther has three siblings, two brothers and a sister named Morgan. He is the cousin of fellow defenseman Ben Lovejoy. He grew up in Canaan, New Hampshire