Canucks send prospect Braeden Cootes back to WHL

Cootes was taken by the Canucks in the first round, 15th overall, of the 2025 NHL Draft. After signing his three-year, entry-level contract back in June, the Sherwood Park, Alb. native made Vancouver’s opening-night roster out of training camp.

Cootes ended up playing in each of the Canucks’ first three games of the 2025-26 season, but certainly had some issues adjusting to the pro game. He was a -1 in two of the contests thus far, including the team’s 5-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Monday night. According to Hockey Reference, Cootes had an overall Corsi Against of 41, and a Corsi For Percentage of 33.9%. Cootes averaged 10:47 of ice time in his first stint with the Canucks.

Thankfully, the 18-year-old didn’t play 10 games, which would’ve burned the first year of his ELC. Now, he gets a chance to return to the Thunderbirds and further develop his skillset in hopes of becoming a key player in Vancouver in the future.

With Seattle last year, Cootes had a strong season. In 60 games, he scored 26 goals and 37 assists for 63 points, all career highs. He went on to add another eight points in the T-Birds’ first-round series against the top-seeded Everett Silvertips. Seattle ended up falling in six games.

Across parts of three seasons in the WHL, Cootes has scored 46 goals and 65 assists for 107 points in 137 games. Seattle is currently 3-5-0 so far this season, and is scheduled to host the Prince George Cougars on Friday night, before facing the Wenatchee Wild on Saturday.

The Canucks (1-2-0) are set to visit the Dallas Stars on Thursday night.