The Vancouver Canucks chose Braeden Cootes from the Seattle Thunderbirds with their 15th-overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. The 5-foot-11, 185-pounder was the youngest captain in the Western Hockey League.
“I’m so thankful and I’m so excited,” Cootes told Canucks management on a live feed after being selected.
The strong two-way righthander is known for his smarts and versatility. He posted 23 goals and 66 points in 60 games this past season.
Cootes is the second Thunderbird to be taken in the 1st-round in 2025, following the Sabres taking monstrous defenseman Radim Mrtka at 9th-overall.
The picks come from a Seattle team that was still working its way through a rebuild after winning the WHL title with a veteran club in 2023.
Vancouver presently has a single pick in all of the remaining rounds on Saturday except the 4th.
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