The Vancouver Canucks have officially brought their 2025 first-round selection, forward Braeden Cootes, into the fold by signing him to a three-year, entry-level contract. This is a standard procedural step following the NHL Entry Draft, but a significant milestone for the 18-year-old player as he transitions from the junior ranks to the professional hockey pipeline.
Cootes was chosen by the Canucks 15th overall at this year`s draft. Prior to the signing, he completed his third season with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League (WHL), a campaign that clearly solidified his status as a top prospect.
Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin commented on the signing, expressing satisfaction with what the team saw from Cootes during their recent development camp. “Braeden showed really well at our development camp, and we are happy to get him under contract,” Allvin stated. He particularly highlighted the young forward`s intangibles: “His compete level and desire to be one of the best players on the ice… was apparent from the very first day.” Allvin also praised Cootes` “hard work and attention to detail,” suggesting that the team is not just investing in raw talent, but in a player with the right mindset. It seems attending camp and showing you`re keen actually matters, who knew?
The Sherwood Park, Alberta native had a productive 2024-25 season in the WHL, recording 26 goals and 37 assists for a total of 63 points in 60 games. He also posted a respectable plus-5 rating and accumulated only 18 penalty minutes – suggesting a focus on playmaking and offense rather than frequent visits to the sin bin. Cootes led the Thunderbirds in both assists and points, while tying for second in goals, demonstrating his role as a primary offensive driver for his junior club.
Standing 5-foot-11 and weighing 183 pounds, Cootes is a centre who has played his entire 131-game WHL career with Seattle, accumulating 40 goals and 59 assists over that span. Beyond his point production, Cootes also took on a significant leadership role with the Thunderbirds, being named co-captain in November 2024 before assuming the full captaincy in January 2025. Wearing the `C` is never a bad sign for a prospect looking to make the jump.
On the international stage, Cootes has been a fixture for Hockey Canada. His resume includes appearances at the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, winning gold at the prestigious 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and captaining the squad to another gold medal at the 2025 U18 World Championships. These experiences against top international competition, coupled with his leadership roles, further bolster his prospect profile.
Signing this entry-level contract is the next official step in Cootes` journey towards potentially playing in the National Hockey League. It binds him to the Canucks organization and allows the team to manage his development path, whether that involves more time in junior, assignments to the American Hockey League, or eventually making the leap to the NHL roster. The team stated they “look forward to helping him improve as a hockey player,” which is management-speak for “the real work starts now.”
This signing secures a key piece of the Canucks` future planning and signals the beginning of Braeden Cootes` professional hockey career within the Vancouver organization.
