Canucks select Braeden Cootes with 15th overall pick of 2025 NHL Draft

The first round of the NHL Draft moved slower than perhaps any of us could have imagined, but eventually, the Vancouver Canucks made their pick at 15th overall. With their lone first round pick, the club sent out Mikael Samuelsson, who announced their selection of centre Braeden Cootes.

Here is what Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis wrote about Cootes in his final mock draft of the year:

Few forwards in this draft class get the puck as often as Cootes. He’s relentless with a non-stop motor, and he showed that in spades at the U-18 World Championship. Cootes is also a solid playmaker, often easily finding teammates in open space. I think his value goes far beyond his numbers, which you want from a center. He’s not small at six-foot, but he’s not huge, either. That doesn’t seem to hurt him, though, because he’s not afraid to play with an edge.

Our own Dave Hall wrote about Cootes as a potential option for the Canucks to draft. Here’s some of what he said.

The Alberta native 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.

While he may not deliver bone-crushing hits, his constant pressure and volume of engagement make him a nightmare to play against. He forces defenders to constantly swivel, overthinking each time they skate toward the corners.

 

You can read Dave’s full report on Cootes by clicking here!

Full Draft Board:

1. Matthew Schaefer — New York Islanders
2. Michael Misa — San Jose Sharks
3. Anton Frondell — Chicago Blackhawks
4. Jacob Desnoyers — Utah Mammoth
5. Brady Martin — Nashville Predators
6. Porter Martone — Philadelphia Flyers
7. James Hagens — Boston Bruins
8. Jake O’Brien — Seattle Kraken
9. Radim Mrtka — Buffalo Sabres
10. Roger McQueen — Anaheim Ducks
11. Benjamin Kindel — Pittsburgh Penguins
12. Jack Nesbitt — Philadelphia Flyers (traded from Philadelphia)
13. Carter Bear — Detroit Red Wings
14. Jackson Smith — Columbus Blue Jackets
15. Braeden Cootes — Vancouver Canucks