We’re just under one month away from the NHL Entry Draft, where the Vancouver Canucks hold their first round pick for the first time since 2023.
For how long? That remains to be seen.
And yet, we continue to push forward as if they will maintain their position and select a young and hopeful prospect with the 15th pick.
With that, we give you our third potential target.
Previous targets:
Team: Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) | Age: 18 | Position: Centre | Height: 6-foot | Weight: 183 lbs | Shoots: Right | Birthplace: Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada
Depending on who you ask, selecting Braeden Cootes with the 15th overall pick could be considered a slight reach.
However, if that’s the case, it isn’t by much.
Today, consensus has him projected somewhere within the 13-25 range. And with a stellar U18 World Championships (six goals and six assists) on his resume, Cootes has all the makings of a player who could outperform expectations on draft day — and for years to come.
Early or not, the Alberta native checks all the right boxes the Canucks could hope for in a prospect. Known for his relentless work ethic, he’s the kind of player who leaves it all on the ice, earning a reputation as a “heart and soul” type with leadership potential written all over him.
This past season, he wore the captain’s “C” for both Team Canada at the U18s and the Seattle Thunderbirds, where he skated as the youngest captain in the WHL at 17 and 18 years old.
He’s a tireless competitor on the ice, providing a real “Energizer Bunny” brand with his non-stop motor. He’s a responsible, all-situations (right-shot) pivot who thrives in all three zones, bringing a pest-like forecheck that wears down opponents.
While he may not deliver bone-crushing hits, his constant pressure and volume of engagement make him a nightmare to play against. He forces defenders to constantly swivel, overthinking each time they skate toward the corners.
Cootes does well at maintaining body position, frequently rubbing defenders off the puck to gain possession, and once the puck is on his stick, he can make magic happen.
