12 years after the Vancouver Canucks drafted Bo Horvat, the organization selected two-way center Braeden Cootes 15th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft. The 18-year-old served as a captain for the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL in 2024–25, with this being his third year spent with the club.
“It’s been a dream come true,” Cootes told the media after being drafted on Friday. “I had a little bit of a feeling. I went for dinner with them and had some really good conversations, and had a feeling that they liked me, and as soon as they were announcing the pick I had a bit of a feeling. Obviously when I heard my name called, I was so excited.”
Cootes’ character and skillset have been compared to the former Canucks captain, as his leadership is one of his many standout qualities. In his draft year, Horvat drew comparisons to players such as Ryan O’Reilly and even Patrice Bergeron. Now, with Cootes now a member of the Canucks organization, it appears that this legacy lives on.
“That’s a big part of my game, as well as leadership and how I carry myself as a person,” he explained. “In Seattle it’s just kind of something that is me, but when I went to Seattle, we have such a good culture there, and just the things we do, or I think what made me an even better leader and person. Obviously my parents as well, how they raised me and just to be a good person, carrying myself the right way.”
Seattle’s other captain in 2024–25 was none other than fellow Canucks prospect Sawyer Mynio, who was traded in the WHL to the Calgary Hitmen earlier in the year, but was still a Thunderbird for four seasons — two of which he spent with Cootes.
“He sent me a text congratulating me, and he’s pretty excited. It’s pretty cool having somebody that you know in an organization, and for sure makes it a little easier transition-wise, going to camp and all that, knowing somebody.”
As well as helping lead the Thunderbirds, Cootes was Team Canada’s captain in the IIHF U18 World Junior Championship earlier in the year. At this tournament, he scored six goals and six assists in a seven-game Gold Medal effort.
“I think he’s a leader by example, on and off the ice, and our staff was really impressed with him during the process of their due diligence, meeting him in Seattle and in Buffalo as well,” Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin said of what drew Vancouver to drafting Cootes.
“I’m not the loudest guy in any room, that’s for sure,” the 15th overall selection added. “I for sure lead more by example and, like I said, carrying myself as a person, working hard, and making others around me better. Just being the person I am, not trying to be anybody I’m not.”
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Cootes is from Sherwood Park, Alberta, and confirmed that he grew up an Edmonton Oilers fan. However, he insists that now that he is part of the Canucks organization, that fanship has now ended. Being in such close proximity to Vancouver without being directly from BC means that Cootes has already been exposed to the Canucks in a couple of different ways.
“I love watching Hughes play, J.T. Miller when he was there,” Cootes noted. “Me growing up in Edmonton, I know everything about a Canadian market and the expectations and all that. It’s no surprise to me, and I’m so excited to be a Vancouver Canuck.”
When asked who he models his game after, Cootes named Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brayden Point. Point, who is from Calgary, has become one of the NHL’s premier centers and has scored more than 40 goals in one season every year since 2022–23. Cootes named Point’s “complete game and his work ethic” in terms of what he idolizes most.
“He kind of does everything right. He’s a really smart player too, high hockey IQ. Kind of always in the right spot, and is a good skater as well. And he’s a winner. Two Stanley Cups. It’s a pretty good resume.”
While he takes influence from Point’s playstyle, Cootes still sees elements of his own game that he wants to work on. Despite breaking out this season with 26 goals and 37 assists in 60 games, and tallying two goals and six assists in six playoff games, Cootes noted that he wants to bring another level of offence to his play.
“Maybe a bit more dynamic offensively, a little bit. The way I play, though, it’s just a complete 200-foot, do whatever it takes to win kind of game with speed. So I’m not trying to change that at all. But I honestly just say my overall game, and to get better at everything to be the player that I want to be.”
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