NHL Draft: Vancouver Canucks select Braeden Cootes with the 15th overall pick
HOLLYWOOD,CA - The Vancouver Canucks snagged dynamic forward Braeden Cootes from the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League with the 15th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.
Standing at five-foot-eleven and weighing roughly 183 pounds, Cootes scored an impressive 26 goals and 37 assists in 60 games for the Thunderbirds this season. Donning the captain's 'C' and hailing from Sherwood Park, Alberta, Cootes showcased remarkable skills and leadership on the ice.
Once regarded as a fringe pick, Cootes found himself high on the Canucks' radar due to his solid offensive performance and undeniable potential. Vancouver, who finished tenth in the Western Conference last season, six points shy of the playoff cut-off, is seeking to bolster their roster this off-season.
This past Wednesday, the Canucks made a splash signing forward Evander Kane from the Edmonton Oilers. In addition, scoring winger Brock Boeser will become an unrestricted free agent if not re-signed before the market opens next Tuesday.
Round two through seven of the draft takes place on Saturday. The Canucks boast five remaining draft picks, with one for each round except the fourth.
Drafted from the Seattle Thunderbirds, Cootes plays as a right-shot centre and is the eighth player chosen by the Canucks from the Thunderbirds organization. This pick marks the second time the Canucks have selected at 15th overall, and Cootes is the first Canadian first-round pick by the Canucks since 2014.
Cootes' pre-draft performance was impressive. During the 2024-25 WHL season, he posted a total of 63 points (26 goals, 37 assists) in 60 games. He excelled at the international level, captaining Team Canada at the 2025 U18 World Championships, where he led the team with six goals and 12 points in seven games, earning a gold medal and one of the top three player awards.
As of today, Cootes has just been drafted and has yet to make his NHL debut. His NHL career performance stats remain to be seen, as his impact on the ice will unfold in the coming seasons. Fans and analysts alike eagerly anticipate witnessing the development of this promising young player.
Cootes, drafted from the Seattle Thunderbirds, is set to bring his impressive hockey skills to the NHL as a new member of the Vancouver Canucks. Having demonstrated solid offensive performance in the Western Hockey League and at the international level, he will likely make a significant impact on the Canucks' roster, especially as they aim to improve following a low playoff finish in the previous season.
