The Vancouver Canucks have officially signed their first-round pick from the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, Braeden Cootes, to a three-year, entry-level contract. The announcement was made on Wednesday, July 9th, 2025, marking a significant step in the young center's career.
Cootes, who was selected 15th overall by the Canucks in June, has already made a positive impression on the organization. He participated in his first development camp earlier in July, showcasing his skills and work ethic. Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin expressed his satisfaction with the signing, stating, "Braeden showed really well at our development camp, and we are happy to get him under contract". Allvin further added, "His compete level and desire to be one of the best players on the ice at UBC was apparent from the very first day. We liked his hard work and attention to detail, and we look forward to helping him improve as a hockey player".
The 18-year-old Cootes hails from Sherwood Park, Alberta, and is currently the captain of the Seattle Thunderbirds in the Western Hockey League (WHL). Last season, he led the Thunderbirds in scoring with 63 points (26 goals and 37 assists) in 60 games. He also added eight points (two goals and six assists) in six playoff games. Cootes' leadership extends beyond his club team, as he also captained Team Canada at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship, leading the team to a gold medal with a team-high 12 points (six goals and six assists) in seven games.
The details of Cootes' entry-level contract have also been revealed. The contract carries a $975,000 cap hit, with the potential for an additional $500,000 in performance bonuses each year, bringing the maximum possible cap hit to $1,475,000. He will also receive a $97,500 signing bonus. Rick Dhaliwal of CHEK News noted that Cootes' potential bonus is higher than Jonathan Lekkerimaki's ($475,000) but lower than Tom Willander's ($800,000) on a per-season basis. The total value of the contract is $2.93 million.
While Cootes has signed his entry-level contract, the current plan is for him to return to the Seattle Thunderbirds for the upcoming season to continue his development. He will likely attend the Canucks' training camp in Penticton in September but is expected to be among the early cuts, which is typical for junior-aged players. However, if Cootes significantly impresses during training camp, the Canucks could give him a taste of up to nine NHL games before sending him back to junior hockey, which would allow them to retain a year on his entry-level slide.
Braeden Cootes is described as a player that is a "hate to play him, love to have him" type player. He is known for his relentless motor, treating every shift as if it is his last, and disrupting opponents with an incredible forecheck and continuous battle on the ice. He is also noted to hound puck-carriers, disrupt breakouts, and win battles in the corners, often emerging with possession through sheer determination. His shot is also a standout skill, with Cootes demonstrating deception to fool goaltenders into committing early before picking a spot.
With his blend of skill, work ethic, and leadership, Braeden Cootes is viewed as a promising prospect for the Vancouver Canucks. The early signing of his entry-level contract reflects the organization's confidence in his potential and their commitment to his development. While he still has work to do before becoming an NHL regular, Cootes possesses the tools and drive to potentially make an impact as early as the 2026-27 season.
