This could very well be the last time Cootes will be featured in our prospect rankings, as the Sherwood Park, Alberta native has little left to prove at the Junior level and is expected to make the jump to the professional ranks.

Cootes was the story of the Canucks’ training camp last season, and after carrying that momentum over to the preseason, he earned a three-game stint in Vancouver. While he wasn’t expected to stick for the full season, that bit of experience was useful for the young centreman as he returned to the WHL for his draft-plus-one season.

The right-shot centre returned to captain the Seattle Thunderbirds, where he scored 10 goals and 23 points in 17 games. He was then named to Team Canada’s World Junior roster, scoring two goals in seven appearances. Instead of returning to Seattle, Cootes was traded to the powerhouse Prince Albert Raiders, where he scored 14 goals and 40 points in 28 games in the regular season. In the postseason, Cootes scored seven goals and 23 points in 20 playoff games, but his Raiders fell just short of a Memorial Cup appearance, losing to Landon DuPont’s Everett Silvertips in the WHL Final.

His draft-plus-one season saw him play in various spots and a handful of different roles, which was important for his development and proved he can wear many hats for whatever team he plays for. In Seattle, he was the focal point of the offence, whereas in Prince Albert, he centred the third line. Despite the lower deployment on a more stacked team, Cootes was still a main contributor on both special teams and in the faceoff dot.

At the 2026 World Juniors, Cootes was one of six 2007-born forwards to make the team. He played in a fourth-line role at the tournament, but that experience alone has him pegged for a larger role for the 2027 World Juniors. Cootes is expected to be a part of the leadership group in December, having worn the C for a game at the World Junior Summer Showcase last week.

Cootes has never been the flashiest offensive player; however, his B-game is what sets him apart from his peers. He is a dog on the forecheck with a never-ending motor, hounding puck carriers, making his opposition uncomfortable, and often forcing turnovers.

His hockey IQ is his strongest asset. He knows when to step up to pressure opponents, and constantly scans the ice to assist in finding the right play for his teammates in the offensive zone. And to complement his brains on the ice, Cootes also has the foot speed to keep up with his forward-thinking style of play.

Cootes processes the game well, carries a deceptive shot, is defensively sound, and is trusted in all three facets of the game. Add all of that to his high-end compete and leadership qualities at just 19 years old, and it’s not hard to see the many pathways for Cootes to make an impact at the NHL level as early as the upcoming 2026-27 season.

Keep up to speed with our rankings so far with our honourable mentions and criteria, and our rankings thus far:

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