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Canucks fans react to Canucks drafting Braeden Cootes 15th overall
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Canucks fans react to Canucks drafting Braeden Cootes 15th overall

Originally posted on Canucksarmy  |  By Tyson Cole  |  Last updated Jun 27, 2025 11:07 PM ET

The Vancouver Canucks kept their pick and selected right-shot centreman Braeden Cootes at 15th overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.

Following the season, many believed that the Canucks would not have been picking here. The 15th overall pick was considered one of their biggest trade chips in hopes of finding a top-six centre to help the team in the immediate future.

However, the organization needed another center in the system, especially a right-shot, who is as hard a worker and a leader as Cootes is.

But how do Canucks fans feel about this pick? We asked, and you answered.

CanucksArmy comment section

From JCOX250 – Love this pick! RHC, Canadian boy, with the fight of the Irish! Welcome aboard!!!

From Chris the Curmudgeon – This guy has 3rd liner written all over him. A good guy to have on your team but not what you want in a 1st round pick. There were way higher ceilings left on the board at 15 and I’m disappointed we passed on them.

From Jibsys – A Swedish winger was passed in the last 7 or 8 picks. I thought for sure we would get him. I love this pick.. This is a character kid and a gamer. Thanks Allvin

From TeeJay – Solids pick, I personally thought Aitcheson was the best player available and that Eklund and Reschny might develop into better players, but it’s a very good pick that Canucks fans can be excited about!

From Hockey Fan in Mexico – As expected, good pick for the draft position. Looking forward to following his development

From Braindeadbenning – Nice to see another 1st round pick coming instead of going out! Solid pick.

From RDster – This was my guy and I nailed it on the Tyson Cole article “NHL Notebook: Canadiens trade for Dobson, Leafs extend Tavares, and more” as the picks were winding down, knew this was their guy and they would pick him if he was there because they took him out for dinner so obviously they liked him, I’m super stoked to have Captain Canada Braeden Cootes in the system, STOKED!

From Naslund – Me like, leader in points for team Canada U18. All around complete player with huge leadership and heart. Playing at 185 pounds could be 200 + in his prime at six foot (or taller, could still get to over six foot).

From appauled – not a bad pick for 15Th. All the reports seem to say be is tenacious on the forecheck and does not mind going to the dirty places or dropping the gloves. Compared to Gallagher and Braeden Schenn. Just the sort of player we need. A right shot centre to boot. Average size but plays bigger. Oh and for those who thought Allvin only drafts Swedes, he is Canadian…western Canada.

From Gino 3C – I’m happy with the pick. Aitcheson would have been nice too, but LHD seems to be pretty full.

From Gino über alles – I was really hoping we’d take Aitcheson after Smith went to Columbus but I’m not at all upset about this pick, he’s almost exactly what our prospect pool needs.

If he becomes a middle six right shooting center that’s great on the forecheck, faceoffs, and PK then that’s about as good as we could hope for at 15, this is a great pick and he’ll be on the team before too much longer.

He has character for days, which is again something we dearly need as there aren’t many of our prospects that you can look at and see them as a future captain whereas Cootes has it written all over him.

Super, super happy with this pick.

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From martingram – Absolutely solid pick. Canadian, grinder, leader, future captain material.

From heera604 – He looks happy to be a Canuck. Good character player very exciting

From natethagreat17 – Would’ve preferred to trade it for Rossi but he was the best player available and I’m very happy with the pick

From kotzer36 – 6’0 right shot C, strong defensive game with lots of offensive potential to unlock, natural leader with a strong work ethic. Reminds me of a certain former captain of ours

From kyliosis – May be the best in the top 30 in my humble opinion

From keinuckel – Its good, I know we need him for faceoffs cuz hes right handed. One of the only other helpers for that rn is Aatu

From spencerisstillwell – Management sucks Eklund was right there

From camkantor – Armdog said he’s a dog so that all I need to know

From mikecollins8 – Unreal pick. High IQ skilled player that isn’t a princess like Petey

From tymyers57luvr – Thank god we didn’t draft Eklund. We don’t need any small Swedish wingers. Stick to drafting Canadian.

From tylerwolo – great pick, kids got character and actually seems to want to be here, can’t wait!

From ewb66 – Like the scouting report on him. Leader, gritty, skilled, Canadian and Irish blood. That’s a trait that would never hurt a hockey player.

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From Caleb Matthews – I love the pick. I thought for sure with Samuelsson coming out to announce the pick they were gonna go for another Swede in Ecklund lol

From Scott Robert-Holmes Easton – Quinn Hughes quite leader vibes. Captain in Seattle. He’s a great pick. Not afraid to stand up for himself. That highlight reel goal after scoring he didn’t celebrate he went over and wanted a piece of the guy. Got that fight in him. Great pick. I’m not a scout by any means the only guy I had above him for forward was Nesbitt, was right there too Aitchson.

Hopefully with the second round pick we can get a 6’2 plus bigger guy skilled agitater type.

From Bryan Knights – I was about to throw my remote thru the TV when they said Samuelson was announcing the pick. Nothing against eklund, wish him well but we have way to much of that.

A right shot center with grit, leadership and talented , couldn’t be happier. Taken a hoot for coot

From Jonathan Jones – He’s a Canuck. He’s exactly the type of player I wish we’d always draft. Gritty, smart, hard working, etc.

From Daryl McGovern – I was very excited to hear this young man’s name. He exudes leadership. All the lead up was definitely worth it, cannot wait see this kid grow into a cornerstone player for the franchise. Tougher than most and his willingness to muck it up is something this team needs.

From Ken Foster – A kid with heart, grit, skill and leadership. It’s nice to hear many of the pundits give a thumbs up for a Canucks draft pick. Dating myself here, but Braeden could be another Stan Smyl.

From Daniel Hunter – Seems ok, we still need a 2&3C and this kid could be something 3-4 yrs from now but he’s not in the line up next season. We need more immediate fixes.

From Allan Kiernan – Bo Horvat with more speed and leadership qualities. Offense isn’t as good as horvats at the same age but ceiling could be higher*

From Dano Nyguen – Great pick, prob better fit than Eklund but hopefully we didnt miss out on a top 10 talent. Surprised we still had the pick though…thought it was going to be packaged for Rossi.

From Ian Stewart – Nice to see them take a WHL player for a change..if they had done that more often, their draft record would be much better

From Fred Scullard – Yes, Yes, Yes …. Skill & Grit!!! Great pick that should become a fan favourite quickly!!! Well done Canucks

From Morgan Burden – Looks like a beauty with lots of character. Can’t wait to see him grow into a leader. Maybe the next Trevor Linden. That would be sick.

From Kendle Beckingham –

Canadian 

Team leader 

Ppg player 

Center 

Id say it was a good pick all things considering Want to read more about Braeden Cootes? Check out our prospect profile on the player here.

This article first appeared on Canucksarmy and was syndicated with permission.

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