Welcome back to our annual series here at CanucksArmy, where we ring in the new year by looking back at the top 10 Vancouver Canucks news stories of the past calendar year.
NUMBER 8: Canucks select Braeden Cootes with 15th overall pick of 2025 NHL Draft
Team Canada forward Braeden Cootes. That’s got a nice ring to it.
With the World Juniors just a couple of days away, it sure is fitting that the Canucks’ selection of Braeden Cootes at the 2025 NHL Entry Draft comes in at number eight on our list of the top Canucks stories of 2025. Selected at 15th overall, Cootes arrived ahead of schedule when he knocked down the door and managed to make the Canucks’ NHL roster in the first training camp of his young career. Cootes stood out in both training camp and the preseason, and earned a quick three-game NHL cup of coffee before returning to the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds to further develop his game.
But the surprises didn’t stop there.
Originally thought of as a bit of a long shot or a fringe option to make Canada’s World Juniors squad (due mostly to his age), Cootes has made Team Canada’s roster for the tournament, and even got some time on PP1 during the exhibition games. In a redraft done today, Cootes likely doesn’t fall to 15th, and Canucks fans are happier for it.
With a story like this, it’s always fun to go back and see what we said about Cootes at the time. Of course, CanucksArmy’s prospect guru Dave Hall is always pretty bang on, so it’s no surprise to see that he was especially high on Cootes when the pick was made:
“Cootes checks all the right boxes the Canucks could hope for in a prospect. Known for his relentless work ethic, he’s the kind of player who leaves it all on the ice, earning a reputation as a “heart and soul” type with leadership potential written all over him… He’s a tireless competitor on the ice, providing a real “Energizer Bunny” brand with his non-stop motor. He’s a responsible, all-situations (right-shot) pivot who thrives in all three zones, bringing a pest-like forecheck that wears down opponents.”
And it’s also worth mentioning in the
Canucks Conversation draft recap show, Dave said Cootes’ off-puck traits give him a high floor that would almost guarantee he’d play NHL games. Bang on, I tell you!
Check out our other top 10 stories of 2026 so far!
#10 – Canucks sign Garland and Demko to contract extensions on day one of free agency
#9 – When Rutherford hinted at trading for Jack and Luke Hughes to keep Quinn in Vancouver
#8 – Canucks select Braeden Cootes with 15th overall pick of 2025 NHL Draft
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