Canucks Prospect Braeden Cootes Making Immediate Impact with Prince Albert Raiders
Vancouver Canucks top prospect Braeden Cootes has seamlessly transitioned to his new Western Hockey League home, demonstrating why he was a first-round selection in last summer's NHL Draft. The 18-year-old centre, acquired by the Prince Albert Raiders from the Seattle Thunderbirds in a blockbuster deal just before the January 8 WHL trade deadline, has already become a key contributor to his new team's success.
Immediate On-Ice Results
Since adding Cootes to their lineup, the Prince Albert Raiders have compiled an impressive 10-2-0-0 record, solidifying their position as one of the WHL's elite teams. The Raiders currently lead the Eastern Conference and were ranked number one in last week's national rankings. Cootes himself has contributed five goals and 15 points since joining the club, showcasing the offensive skills that made him the 15th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.
The young centre played three regular-season games with the Vancouver Canucks before being reassigned to junior hockey, giving him valuable NHL experience that he's now applying at the WHL level. His transition has been so smooth that Canucks player development representative Henrik Sedin recently visited Prince Albert to check on Cootes's progress.
Professionalism Beyond His Years
Prince Albert Raiders general manager Curtis Hunt has been particularly impressed with Cootes's maturity and approach to the game. "You talk to him and it's like you're talking to a 25-year-old," Hunt remarked. "With Braeden, I'm just so impressed with his demeanour, his professionalism, how he prepares for games and how he interacts in the community and with his billets."
Hunt, who played four seasons in the Vancouver Canucks minor league system during his own playing career, noted that Cootes has had to learn his fourth set of team systems this season after stints with the Canucks, Thunderbirds, and Team Canada for the World Juniors. Despite this challenge, Hunt praised Cootes's work ethic and adaptability.
Strategic Role Adjustment
One noticeable change in Cootes's deployment with Prince Albert has been a reduction in faceoff responsibilities. While he took 20 or more faceoffs in 13 of his 17 games with Seattle, including two games with 30 draws, he has been in single digits for faceoffs in his last seven games with the Raiders. This adjustment reflects Prince Albert's exceptional depth at centre rather than any deficiency in Cootes's abilities.
The Raiders boast four elite centremen, including Aiden Oiring (seventh in the WHL in faceoffs taken with a 58.6% success rate), Evan Smith (52%), and Max Heise (52.7%). Cootes himself has registered a 57.7% faceoff percentage across his two WHL stops this season. Hunt emphasized that this depth allows the Raiders to roll four lines effectively and provides flexibility on special teams.
Trade Details and Future Outlook
The Raiders paid a significant price to acquire Cootes, sending four players and four WHL Draft selections—including first-round picks in 2026 and 2028—to Seattle in exchange for the promising centre and three picks. This investment reflects Prince Albert's commitment to making another championship run after winning the WHL title in 2019.
With seven weeks remaining in the WHL regular season, Cootes continues to develop his game under Raiders head coach Ryan McDonald, a former Prince Albert centre who was promoted from assistant coach to interim head coach last March before receiving the full-time position in May. The Raiders' next challenge comes Wednesday when they host the Calgary Hitmen.
Cootes's combination of elite skating, puck protection skills, and two-way play has made him an immediate asset for the Raiders while providing the Vancouver Canucks organization with encouraging signs about their prospect's development trajectory. As the WHL season progresses toward the playoffs, all eyes will be on how this talented young centre continues to grow in his new hockey environment.
