The Vancouver Canucks have signed forward Braeden Cootes to a three-year, entry-level contract.
Cootes, an 18-year-old forward, was the Canucks` first-round selection, 15th overall, in this year`s NHL Entry Draft. He recently finished his third season with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League (WHL).
Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin commented on the signing: “Braeden showed really well at our development camp, and we are happy to get him under contract. His compete level and desire to be one of the best players on the ice at UBC was apparent from the very first day. We liked his hard work and attention to detail, and we look forward to helping him improve as a hockey player.”
In the 2024-25 WHL season, Cootes recorded 26 goals and 37 assists for 63 points in 60 games. He also had 18 penalty minutes and a +5 rating. Cootes led the Thunderbirds in assists and points and finished tied for second in goals.
The 5-foot-11, 183-pound center has played his entire 131-game WHL career with Seattle, accumulating 40 goals and 59 assists.
During the 2024-25 season, Cootes served as a co-captain for the Thunderbirds starting November 22, 2024, and later took over the full captaincy on January 4, 2025.
Hailing from Sherwood Park, Alberta, Cootes has represented Canada internationally multiple times, including the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, the gold medal-winning 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and the 2025 U18 World Championships, where he captained the team to another gold medal.
SIGNING DETAILS
Player
Braeden Cootes
Signed by: 
Vancouver Canucks
Contract Details
- Length
- 3 years
- Contract Type
- Entry-Level Deal
- Salary Cap Hit
- N/A
- Total
- N/A
Signing Date: July 9, 2025
Duncan Priestley