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Vancouver Canucks 2026-27 Player Projections: Braeden Cootes

Braeden Cootes, Prince Albert Raiders (Mark Peterson / Prince Albert Raiders)

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Vancouver Canucks 2026-27 Player Projections: Braeden Cootes

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers
By Matthew Zator | Last updated Aug 23, 2026 2:45 PM ET

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It’s been a quiet month for the Vancouver Canucks, but in only a few weeks, we will be watching some of the top prospects battle it out against the Seattle Kraken in a two-day showcase. It will be the second iteration of the event, and it will take place at Rogers Forum in Abbotsford after the Kraken hosted it last year at Angel Of The Winds Arena in Everett.

Braeden Cootes was part of the festivities after being drafted 15th overall, and that started a whirlwind of a season for the 18-year-old as he made the Canucks’ opening night roster. This year, he will be front and centre again, but with another season of development under his belt. Let’s dive into his projections for 2026-27, where he will be expected to continue his journey to becoming the team’s next elite two-way centre.

Looking Back at Cootes’ 2025-26 Season

By the time the 2025-26 season came to a close, Cootes had thrown on four jerseys over the course of nine months. First, it was the Canucks, then the Seattle Thunderbirds, then Team Canada, and finally the Prince Albert Raiders. When his season finished in May with a disappointing 7-2 loss against the Everett Silvertips, he had played 75 games for four different teams. He was exceptional in every jersey, too, scoring 10 goals and 23 points in his final 17 games as the Thunderbirds captain, another 14 goals and 40 points in 28 games with the Raiders, and two goals in seven games with Team Canada, capturing a bronze medal.

Cootes was even more impressive in the Western Hockey League (WHL) playoffs, finishing fourth in postseason scoring with seven goals and 23 points in 20 games. His team got all the way to the WHL Final, but hit a wall against the Silvertips, dropping four straight after winning Game 1 4-2. Overall, despite that disappointment, he had another standout season, finishing with 24 goals and 63 points in 45 games. He was also named the WHL’s Most Sportsmanlike Player after the playoffs, sitting in the box for a total of only eight minutes.

Expectations for 2026-27

Cootes has done all he can at the WHL level, so barring a surprising turn of events, he will be wearing some form of Canucks jersey this season. It will either be the Orca in Vancouver or the Johnny Canuck in Abbotsford. Being 19 years old now, he will be eligible to play in the American Hockey League (AHL) after the NHL and Canadian Hockey League (CHL) came to an agreement to allow one 19-year-old to play in the league starting in 2026-27.

Vancouver Canucks forward Braeden Cootes (Bob Frid-Imagn Images)

Cootes’ expectations this season are simple: keep developing and taking steps forward. He doesn’t have to become the next Brayden Schenn, Phillip Danault or Anthony Cirelli overnight. Patience is what the Canucks need to preach to everyone right now, especially when it comes to their top prospects. Now that they are in a rebuild, there is no reason to rush anyone’s development. Let Cootes build his game at his own pace, and only force a major NHL role on him when he’s absolutely ready for it.

2026-27 Projections

While I made the bold prediction that Cootes would be the first-line centre by the end of the season (and score 20 goals), I am keeping it more conservative for his actual projections. I see him starting in Abbotsford as the top-line centre for head coach Ryan Papaioannou and spending most of the season there.

Cootes will be one of the top rookies in the AHL, hitting 20 goals in his first season. He will also suit up for 20-25 NHL games (notching his first goal and points) and wear the “C” for Team Canada at the 2027 World Juniors. All in all, it will be a solid debut campaign for the Canucks’ 2025 first-round pick.