Top Vancouver Canucks prospect Braeden Cootes has hit the ground running with his new Western Hockey League team, making a significant impact in his first appearances for the Prince Albert Raiders.
Immediate Impact After Blockbuster Trade
The 18-year-old centre, who was the Canucks' first-round pick (15th overall) in the 2025 NHL Draft, was the centrepiece of a major trade last Tuesday. The Raiders acquired Cootes from the Seattle Thunderbirds in exchange for four players and four WHL Draft selections, including first-round picks in 2026 and 2028. Seattle also received two additional draft picks and a conditional selection.
Cootes wasted no time justifying the Raiders' investment. In his second game with the team on Saturday, January 11, 2026, he was named first star in Prince Albert's 5-3 loss to the visiting Edmonton Oil Kings at the Art Hauser Centre. He recorded a goal and an assist, fired four shots on net, and won 9 of his 16 face-offs.
A Promising Start with Championship Aspirations
His debut for the Raiders came the previous night in a 6-1 victory over the Swift Current Broncos, where he managed five shots and won 5 of 6 draws. The swift adaptation has fueled optimism for both player and team.
"The sky's the limit," Cootes told reporters after Saturday's game, expressing his belief in the team's potential. "We can do anything we put our minds to. I think we can go all the way. Guys are dialled in, man. They know what they want. They want to win badly. It's pretty cool to be here."
The trade positions the Raiders (28-6-4-0), currently the No. 2 seed in the WHL's Eastern Conference, as a serious contender. Meanwhile, the Thunderbirds (15-19-2-2) sit 11th in the 12-team Western Conference.
Season Context and Future Outlook
Cootes' season has been eventful. He earned a spot on the Vancouver Canucks' opening night roster after a strong training camp, playing three NHL games before being reassigned to junior. He also represented Team Canada at the world junior championship, causing him to miss additional WHL games.
Despite the limited schedule, his production has been impressive. He now has 11 goals and 25 points in just 19 WHL games this season. This follows a 2024-25 campaign where he posted 26 goals and 63 points in 60 regular-season games with Seattle.
In Prince Albert, Cootes has been skating on a line with Maddix McCagherty and Max Heise, a San Jose Sharks draft pick. The Raiders boast a deep and potent lineup, ranking third in the league in goals scored (171) and power-play percentage (31.5%), while allowing the second-fewest goals against (100).
The Raiders' next game is Tuesday at home against the Brandon Wheat Kings. Due to the WHL schedule, the earliest the team could play in British Columbia this season would be during the league final or at the Memorial Cup national championship tournament, which is being held in Kelowna in May.
