Braeden Cootes
Braeden Cootes is a Canadian ice hockey player who is a centre for the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League as a prospect to the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League. He was drafted fifteenth overall by the Canucks in the 2025 NHL entry draft.
Playing career
Cootes was captain of the Seattle Thunderbirds in 2024–25, the youngest captain in the Western Hockey League, and scored 26 goals and 37 assists in 60 games. It was speculated the Canucks would target Cootes leading up to the 2025 draft. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Canucks on July 10, 2025.On October 6, 2025, the Canucks announced that Cootes made their opening night roster. Cootes was the first 18-year old to earn a spot on Vancouver's opening night roster since Petr Nedvěd in 1990. He made his NHL debut on October 9, 2025, in a 5–1 victory over the Calgary Flames, logging 11 minutes and 14 seconds of ice time. After going pointless in three games, he was returned to the Seattle Thunderbirds on October 14, 2025. On January 6, 2026, he was traded to the Prince Albert Raiders.
International play
Cootes captained Team Canada to a gold medal winning U18 world championship, scoring six goals and 12 points in seven games.In December 2025, he was selected to represent Canada at the 2026 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. During the tournament he recorded two goals in seven games and won a bronze medal.