Can Braeden Cootes Become the Canucks’ Next Star?

Something electric is happening in the WHL right now, and Vancouver Canucks fans are noticing. Braeden Cootes isn’t just scoring—he’s making plays that stop you mid-scroll. Take Saturday’s game against Brandon. He put up a goal and two assists in a 5-2 win. Three points in one night, but it feels bigger than that. This youngster is on fire.

Cootes has now scored in four straight games.

Cootes has scored in four straight games and racked up 16 points in his last nine outings. Over 32 games this season, he sits at 18 goals and 45 points, plus a plus-16 rating. Those numbers show someone finding a rhythm and stepping into a bigger role. This isn’t a fluke streak; it’s a player settling into his groove.

February 7 brought another standout night. Prince Albert rolled Lethbridge 6-0, and Cootes added three more points to the highlight reel. That puts him at 19 points in 14 games with the Raiders. It’s an average of 1.36 points per game. Even compared to his WHL days in Seattle, this shows real growth. He’s consistently scoring, setting up teammates, and making things happen.

A play to remember? That slick backhand assist in the second period had the crowd on its feet—precisely the kind of moment that gets scouts talking.

Reasons why Cootes is turning heads.

Cootes has shown serious scoring versatility this season, and he’s just as comfortable setting up teammates as he is finishing plays himself. But he’s not all offence; his stellar plus/minus rating tells you he’s solid on the defensive side too, which scouts love to see. Looking ahead, he was nearly NHL-ready last season, and now heading into the 2026-27 training camp, expectations are high. If he continues to develop at this pace, he could make a real impact sooner rather than later.

Fans and analysts are watching closely. Can Cootes take this WHL dominance and make an NHL impact? If he keeps this pace, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him making waves at the NHL level.

When will the Canucks be ready to let him take the next step?

The question now is simple: can he maintain it and take the next step? Saturday’s performance suggests the answer is yes. Braeden Cootes is just getting started, and Canucks fans should buckle up—this is one prospect worth keeping an eye on.