The Vancouver Canucks are clearly looking to improve their offensive depth at the center position this off-season. While potential free agency acquisitions remain to be seen, the team reinforced this strategic priority by selecting center Braeden Cootes 15th overall during Friday night`s draft.
Certainly, Cootes — currently playing nearby with the WHL`s Seattle Thunderbirds, located just 230 km south of Vancouver — will need time to develop his game before he is ready for the professional level. However, his inclusion in the organization`s pool of prospects represents a significant positive step.
In a draft class highlighted by elite offensive talent, Cootes` scoring production — while impressive given he led his team with 63 points in 60 games last season — only tells part of the story. What truly gives him an elite edge is his relentless energy, his determined pursuit of the puck, and his physical presence across all facets of his game. These qualities, coupled with his leadership, make him a must-have prospect for a team undergoing transition. It is these very attributes that will likely make Canucks fans eager to see him pull on a Vancouver jersey in the future, potentially even in a leadership role.
Here`s a closer look at what makes the Canucks` top selection in the 2025 Draft stand out.
