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Canucks assign Braeden Cootes to WHL; plan to recall Max Sasson from AHL Abbotsford
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Photo credit: Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Dylan Nazareth
Oct 14, 2025, 17:36 EDTUpdated: Oct 14, 2025, 19:11 EDT
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After a short stint in the NHL, Vancouver Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin announced on Tuesday that forward prospect Braeden Cootes has been assigned to his WHL team, the Seattle Thunderbirds.
Centreman Max Sasson has been recalled from the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks in his place, per Head Coach Adam Foote.
Averaging just under 11 minutes a night across his three-game NHL debut, Cootes put up zeros across the board, with no points or shots on net to boast. The Sherwood Park, Alberta native was selected 15th overall by the Canucks in June’s entry draft and quickly earned a spot in Vancouver after a strong training camp.
The 18-year-old is the youngest player to hit the ice with the franchise in a long time, joining Ryan Kesler and Quinn Hughes as 21st-century Canucks who played in Vancouver the year after they were drafted. The young offensive prospect will now bring that professional experience back to juniors. Last season with the Thunderbirds, he had 26 goals and 63 points in 60 games played. He also scored six goals and 12 points in seven games at last year’s World Juniors for Team Canada. He’s likely to return to the team for this year’s edition, set to take place in Minnesota.
Meanwhile, Sasson is joining the Canucks with some NHL experience already to his name. Last season, the 25-year-old centreman appeared in 29 matches with Vancouver, tallying three goals and seven points. Centring the top line of the Calder Cup-winning Abbotsford Canucks, he had five goals and 14 points in 24 appearances. Sasson has scored in both of Abbotsford’s games to start the 2025-26 campaign – including the overtime winner on opening night –and  has registered nine shots on goal.
Vancouver is 1-2-0 to start the season, and will look to rebound from back-to-back losses as they begin a five-game road trip. The Canucks start in Dallas on Thursday, set to face the Stars, who are a perfect 2-0 this season.

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