We are back with the 2025 summer edition of our CanucksArmy top 20 Vancouver Canucks prospect rankings.

We’ve officially hit our top-3 prospects, all of whom carry strong NHL potential to contribute to the Vancouver Canucks one day.

Our previously ranked prospects:

If you’re curious about our ranking criteria, you can find them in our HM installment.

When examining the Vancouver Canucks’ depth, two key areas stand out as positions of need.

First, there is a lack of notable centre options. Especially those who have a decent chance of securing an NHL job and making an impact in the next five seasons.

This fall, Aatu Räty, who has already graduated from our ranks, is expected to make the full-time leap to the NHL. That leaves Max Sasson, who’s also graduated, and our number eight prospect, Ty Mueller.

Beyond that, it will take a considerable amount of development to foster a meaningful player at the centre position.

The second area of need is right-shot players. More importantly, right-shot centres.

The Canucks managed to tick off both boxes and even added some additional ones by selecting a prospect who stands a strong chance not only of playing in NHL games but also contributing as a key player.

With the 15th overall pick at the 2025 NHL Draft, the Canucks selected Braeden Cootes from the Seattle Thunderbirds.

The Sherwood Park native’s relentless compete level, two-way acumen, and leadership make him an instant standout, with the Canucks banking on his ability to develop into a steady top-six NHL pivot.

The team’s decision to select Cootes, despite rumours of trading the pick, did not come as much of a surprise after weeks of reported interest, including a dinner with him at the NHL Combine.

“We are so pleased to bring in a player of this quality and character into our organization,” said Patrik Allvin in the team’s press release. “Braeden is a strong competitor and has proven to be a good leader as well in the Western Hockey League. He profiles as a solid playmaker and has a good motor, and we really like the way Braeden leaves it all on the ice. Our group is really excited to see him continue to develop in the years to come.”

At 17, he began his sophomore season alternating as captain of the Seattle Thunderbirds with his now fellow Canucks prospect Sawyer Mynio. Once Mynio was dealt away from the team, Cootes slid in as the youngest full-time captain in the Western League.

His leadership extended internationally, as he captained Canada’s U18 team to gold at the 2024 World Championship. There, he outshone fellow first-rounders like Brady Martin, Cole Reschny, Benjamin Kindel, and Jack Nesbitt and led the tournament with 12 points in seven games and a 71.79% faceoff win rate.

Despite the Thunderbirds’ middling season, finishing in the bottom six in goals scored and just squeaking into the final playoff position, Cootes’ return would see him produce 63 points (26 goals, 37 assists) in 60 games to finish at over a point-per-game pace on a team with limited offensive support.

If surrounded by a better cast, we do believe that there is more to his offensive game than his draft-minus-one season indicates.

Offensive numbers aside, the real intrigue in his game comes in the details of his all-around profile. Cootes’ game is defined by a “hate to play, love to have” mentality.

His relentless motor drives a ferocious forecheck, hounding puck-carriers, disrupting breakouts, and winning battles in corners and along the boards.

Despite only 34 penalty minutes across 131 WHL games over two regular seasons, his tenacity makes him a disruptive force. He’s often the first man back, anchoring defensive-zone faceoffs and excelling on the penalty kill with clever positioning and an active stick.

Offensively, Cootes isn’t an offensive juggernaut, but contributes through hard work and crafty play. His versatile shot, paired with clever fakes, opens lanes to beat goalkeepers, while his soft hands have the potential to produce highlight-reel goals and pinpoint passes after winning said 50/50 battles.

While he may not cap out as a high-end scorer, his ability to contribute in all situations — power play, penalty kill, and even-strength — makes him a coach’s dream and a sure bet as a pro player.

All of this is packaged into a high-character young man who spends the majority of his time at the rink. He’s incredibly dedicated to his craft and brings the type of leadership that likely translates into wearing a letter one day.

The Canucks acted quickly to sign their latest first-round talent, eliminating the possibility of him bolting to the NCAA. He is expected to remain with the Thunderbirds, whom he has spoken incredibly highly of and is happy to play out the remainder of his junior career.

“Braeden showed really well at our development camp, and we are happy to get him under contract,” said Canucks GM Patrik Allvin. “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.”

Thanks to a safe floor, we feel that he falls very close to being the Canucks’ top forward prospect. But with a slightly lower ceiling and still a few years out from contributing, he falls just short for now. We won’t be shocked to see that post move throughout our next few installments.

Ceiling: His NHL ceiling is that of a top-six center, capable of driving play with two-way reliability, special-teams contributions, and secondary scoring. Cootes models his game after players like Brayden Point, while his modest point production but high character profile is reminiscent of a familiar prototype in Bo Horvat. Either way, he’s sure to have a promising career at the NHL level in some capacity.

Floor: We do believe that Cootes is an NHL player. Whether that be in a 2C position or a bottom-six, he displays all the intangibles to be a steady pro at the NHL level.

ETA: With his Entry-Level Contract in hand, there is a world where he’s gifted a nine-game NHL trial this fall. However, the more realistic avenue has him suiting up in a select few pre-season matches before being returned to Seattle, where he needs to have a big start to make Team Canada’s World Junior team. With the AHL’s new CBA allowing earlier transitions, he could join Abbotsford in 2026-27 after another season in the WHL. We expect him to push for a spot in Vancouver by 2027-28.

That’s our #3 spot.