The Vancouver Canucks added an intriguing prospect to their organization during the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, as they drafted center Braeden Cootes with the 15th overall pick. The Seattle Thunderbirds captain recorded 63 points in 60 games during the WHL season, before guiding Canada to a Gold Medal at the U18s. A two-way center who has what seems like a never-ending motor, Cootes became the first WHLer in over a decade to be drafted by the Canucks in the first round.
After the selection, General Manager Patrik Allvin met with the media to discuss Vancouver's newest prospect. Cootes had long been rumoured as a player who the Canucks had interest in, as he was even taken out for dinner by team representatives during the 2025 NHL Scouting Combine. Ultimately, Allvin and his management group decided that Cootes was an ideal pick for Vancouver, as they selected him with the 15th overall pick in this year's draft.
"Braeden Cootes, captain in Seattle, our guys were very excited about him leading up to the meeting today," said Allvin. "And we had a couple of guys that we were hoping were going to be available at 15. You never know when you're picking there, but when we're getting closer to the pick there, and Braeden was a guy the scouting staff was definitely very excited, and so am I to get a right-shot center, captain of Team Canada's Gold Medal team in Dallas earlier. And believe there is upside for him to be a mid-six center."
Cootes' leadership was one of his attributes that really stuck out this season. He was the youngest captain in the WHL and wore the "C" for his country at this year's U18s. According to Allvin, his ability to be a leader was one of the many reasons why the Canucks were keen to add him to the organization.
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"Well, I think his demeanor of being fairly mature 18-year-old here. How he led Seattle through a tougher year and were able to get them in the playoffs and how he was able to get a Gold Medal for Canada down at the U18. I think he's a leader by example, on and off the ice, and our staff was really impressive with him during the process of their due diligence, meeting him in Seattle and in Buffalo as well."
Vancouver Canucks 2025 NHL Draft Target: Braeden CootesThe Vancouver Canucks enter the 2025 NHL Entry Draft with a pick in each round. Leading up to the draft day, we at The Hockey News will be profiling a different prospect who the Canucks could take with each of their picks. Today's prospect is Seattle Thunderbirds center Braeden Cootes, who Vancouver could select 15th overall.
As for on-ice play, Cootes is the exact type of player Vancouver needed to add to their prospect pool. He is a right-shot center who can transition the pucks well and plays in every situation. As Allvin explained, players like Cootes are not easy to acquire, which is why the organization is pleased with their selection.
"Well, I think that along with his position, where he plays, and being a right-shot center, which is extremely hard to get in the league, and for a young player like him, what he brought to the team in Seattle and around Hockey Canada too, is impressive, young man. So, definitely for us, we felt that we have a lot of good younger defensemen in our system, so adding forwards and centers was important for us."
In the end, the Canucks made the right decision by adding Cootes to their organization. He is one of the hardest working prospects available in this draft and, as Allvin pointed out, has the potential to develop into a middle-six center. Overall, this is a prospect fans in Vancouver should be excited about, and can keep tabs on as he is expected to return to the WHL next season.
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