Dave Hall’s Canucks 2025 development camp scrimmage notebook

Forwards

Braeden Cootes – After two days of on-ice drills, Thursday was the first time the Vancouver faithful got eyes on Braeden Cootes in game mode.

And he came as advertised.

He brought substance to the game with most of his shifts. Even when he wasn’t gifting us with offensive looks, he was providing his trademark responsibility deep in his own zone.

In transition, you got the sense that he was the lone first-round talent, as he seemed to break up the ice with a little more conviction and fluidness. When he curled from the defensive circles and built up speed, you knew he was carving out a lane.

He also made some crafty moves for the crowd, which included scoring a breakaway goal against his fellow 2025 draftee, Aleksei Medvedev (22-second mark).

All this to say, yeah, he stood out and will be a player that we are excited to watch in Seattle, when the Canucks’ prospect take on the Kraken in September.

Vilmer Alriksson – At 6-foot-6, Vilmer Alriksson always stands out in these environments, but it was his improved skating and confident puck-handling that turned heads in his third development camp.

While his size and soft hands are undeniable, assistant coach Mikael Samuelsson noted areas for growth: “He needs to still work. He’s not where he wants to be, and not where we want him to be. He still needs to grind and show consistency day in and day out.”

From our perspective, the consistency he’s referring to is likely directed by his Junior numbers, where his game can sometimes go dormant. Despite being a decent skater, possessing good hands, and having a massive build, he still struggles to contribute on a night-to-night basis.

But that wasn’t an issue on Thursday, as he led the way for Team Blue with two goals (22 seconds, 1:07). One of which came in highlight reel fashion to send the UBC crowd into an “oh ah.”

Technically, the towering Swede can return to Brampton, skating alongside Gabe Chiarot. However, he’ll be on a collision course to join the Abbotsford Canucks out of camp. And we’re very intrigued to watch him translate.

Anthony Romani – Anthony Romani, in his second camp appearance, looked like a player ready to take the next step into the NCAA.

Playing on Team Blue’s top line, the 2024 draftee displayed his offensive instincts, finding soft spots in the zone and nearly scoring with a quick-release one-timer that rang off the post. His ability to lurk away from pressure before jumping back in to strike with a deadly shot was evident, even if he didn’t find the scoresheet.

While his skating still needs polish, he continues to be an offensive player worth keeping an eye on. Set to join Michigan State for a big NCAA season, Romani’s development will be one to follow.

Amine Hajibi (Northeastern University – NCAA, Camp Invite) – Among the camp invitees, Amine Hajibi stole the show for us. The 20-year-old Montreal native was a presence all game for Team Blue, creating chances with his quick hands and relentless energy.

Hajibi set up Mack Oliphant’s goal (eight seconds) and generated prime scoring opportunities on several occasions, flaunting his playmaking ability. His never-quit attitude and soft hands were exciting, and heading into his freshman year at Northeastern, he could be a player to watch for next spring.

Colin Kessler (University of Vermont – NCAA, Camp Invite) – Another invitee who turned heads, Colin Kessler brought quick hands and slick moves to Team White.

The 21-year-old forward scored (41 seconds) with an incredible snipe and showcased his poise with the puck throughout the game, weaving in and out of coverage and protecting the puck with ease in the offensive zone.

Heading into his sophomore season at the University of Vermont, he’ll be another name we keep our eyes on next spring.

Riley Patterson – After stealing the show at last year’s camp, Riley Patterson delivered a solid, but slightly quieter, performance this year’s scrimmage. His crafty hands were on display with a few slick setups.

Patterson, who prefers center but has played wing in the OHL, worked hard in the faceoff dot during camp drills.

Establishing himself as a centre would certainly boost his stock within the organization, but his skating remains the key to unlocking that role. His two-way instincts are undeniable, and he’s a prospect with upside. He’s certainly got the two-way mind for it.

Wilson Björk – The Canucks’ 2025 fifth-round pick, Wilson Björk, made a strong first impression both on and off the ice. The slight but tenacious forward showed a knack for forechecking and digging pucks out of corners.

His poise with the puck, combined with his relentless pressure game, stood out. That matched what we’ve seen through our views with the tape.

Off the ice, Björk’s confident English and witty one-liners made him a fan favourite during interviews. He was confident with his English and even threw out a couple of great one-liners, and even went as far as mentioning that he models his game after a blend of Matthew Tkachuk and Jack Hughes….right on!

While it wasn’t a game-breaking performance, it was enough to make us excited to watch his development and transition to the NCAA game in just a few months.

He told us that his first experience on the small ice was just a month ago, so it’s still very new to him. Committed to Colorado College, we are excited to keep tabs on his season. More on him soon.

Kieren Dervin – He wasn’t a major standout, but you could sense that there is something there with Kieren Dervin. There is a reason why the Canucks took a swing on him in third-round. He brings the entire package and is an athletic specimen who works hard and occasionally displays some skill. We liked his work in the corners.

Matthew Lansing – Matthew Lansing was a surprising standout for Team White, opening the scoring with a gorgeous forehand-backhand breakaway move. He also consistently drove to the net, using his speed and physicality to create chances in the paint.

Ilya Safonov – At 24 and with 263 KHL games under his belt, we were sort of hoping Ilya Safonov would “wow” us. He was fine, rather than spectacular. The big-bodied forward made a nice setup for a teammate’s goal, but wasn’t necessarily a big standout in the match.

Again, we are talking about a one-time, half 5-on-5, half 3-on-3 scrimmage, so it doesn’t mean much.

Defencemen

Parker Alcos – Now in his second stint, we thought Parker Alcos was a standout from Team White’s blueline. His smooth skating and composure shone through, and that showed on a goal at the 51-second mark.

We saw growth during his 2024-25 season, and that composure was evident in this scrimmage. With some bulking to add weight to a good-sized frame, he’s a name to keep on the watch list.

Aiden Celebrini – Aiden Celebrini continues to be a camp favourite, both for his engaging interviews and improving on-ice play. His skating has taken noticeable strides, and assistant coach Mikael Samuelsson praised his growing competitiveness and mental game.

With Tom Willander departing BU, we sure hope to see Celebrini enjoy increased ice time in 2025-26. He’s an impressive kid, who we continue to root for within this organization.

Mack Oliphant (College of the Holy Cross – NCAA, Camp Invite) – As the lone right-shot defender invited, he was a name that we had circled as someone to pay attention to. He was also already on one of our NCAA free agents watch lists.

He scored a goal, but was also a smooth-skating standout during on-ice drills before the game. The Canucks will need a body or two to fill out their right-side depth (deep depth), so perhaps he’s a name to keep an eye on.

Goaltenders

Aleksei Medvedev – Development camps aren’t the place to overanalyze goaltenders, but Aleksei Medvedev showed flashes of his potential. The 2025 draftee’s long frame and quick movements were evident.

Medvedev’s raw tools suggest a bright future, and his performance at camp provided a glimpse of what’s to come as he develops.

Alexander Levshyn (OJHL, Camp invite) – Undrafted and unranked, Alexander Levshyn was a pleasant surprise between the pipes. The 18-year-old OJHL netminder looked poised and confident, stopping several high-quality chances.

His 2.80 GAA and .910 save percentage in 2024-25 carried over to the scrimmage, where he showed strong puck-tracking and composure. While his long-term path is unclear, Levshyn’s performance earned him some buzz.

With the Development Camp in the rearview, hockey takes a bit of a break. Now we wait to see whether Braeden Cootes receives an invite to the upcoming World Junior Summer Showcase. Otherwise, we wait until September, when we will have you covered for the newly minted prospect tournament in Seattle.