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Canucks prospects Cootes and Malhotra earn early opportunities at World Junior Showcase

Photo credit: © Steven Ellis/The Nation Network

By Jeffrey Kennett

Jul 29, 2026, 10:00 EDTUpdated: Jul 29, 2026, 02:07 EDT

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Braeden Cootes and Caleb Malhotra arrived at Canada’s World Junior Summer Showcase from different starting points.

One is returning to the national program with tournament experience, a bronze medal, and an appetite for a larger role this time around. The other pulled a Canadian jersey over his head for the first time this week and is one of the youngest players in camp.

Both Vancouver Canucks prospects opened camp down the middle and received power play work during Canada’s initial practices ahead of Wednesday’s game against Sweden.

“It’s my first time officially putting on the Maple Leaf in any kind of capacity,” Malhotra said. “I feel like it’s that much more meaningful.”

Cootes centred Ethan Belchetz and Dallas Stars prospect Cameron Schmidt, while Malhotra skated between Philippe Veilleux and Brady Martin, a returning member of Canada’s World Junior team and one of the more accomplished forwards at the showcase. Both centres also worked in the bumper position on their respective power play groups.

Hockey Canada appears prepared to evaluate each prospect at his natural position while providing opportunities to contribute offensively. That’s an encouraging sign for Vancouver and its fans. After watching many of his peers represent Canada at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and under-18 level, Malhotra has finally earned his own opportunity to represent his country.

The former Brantford Bulldog said Hockey Canada’s staff made the expectations clear from the opening meeting that players must carry themselves professionally, practise with intensity and treat every session as part of the selection process. “They made it very clear this is a tryout and you’re trying to earn your spot here,” he said. “Everyone’s watching you to make sure how you play, your habits and your pace.”

Malhotra wants to show evaluators that his pace has improved and that he can make plays while handling difficult defensive assignments. Canada has considerable depth at centre, which could force players to prove they can fill several roles before the roster takes shape in December.

He hopes his versatility will help him stand out as an all-around option during the evaluation process.

“I think, similar to what I showed this year, just that I have another gear,” Malhotra said. “My pace has gotten better and my ability to make plays and shut down guys. It’s something I’ve worked on a lot this summer.”

His father, Canucks head coach Manny Malhotra, represented Canada twice at the World Juniors and captained the 2000 team to a bronze medal. Caleb recalled hearing about the responsibility his father carried while wearing a letter and serving as a voice inside Canada’s dressing room.

“That’ll just be a little cherry on top if I get to that point and this team gets to that point,” Malhotra said.

Cootes, on the other hand, already understands the demands of the tournament. The Canucks’ 2025 first-round pick scored twice in seven games as Canada captured bronze at the previous World Juniors. Despite that experience, the returning forward has no plans to settle into the same supporting assignment.

“I want to be a leader for sure,” Cootes said. “Have a bigger role than I did last year. Come in and just be myself, be a leader and play my game.”

The Sherwood Park, Alberta native believes he has become stronger, faster, more confident, and more mature since his first World Junior appearance, emphasizing the importance of small details and team structure as ways to prevail in close games. “It’s those one or two tiny plays that can cost you the tournament,” he said. “You have to come close together as a group. You’ve got to be hard to play against.”

Canada lost in the semifinal to Czechia before securing bronze, extending the country’s gold medal drought for another year. The upcoming tournament will take place in Cootes’ home province in Alberta, adding further urgency for the returning players to capitalize on Canadian soil.

“Bronze isn’t good enough,” Cootes said. “It’s a huge motivation for sure.”

His initial deployment indicates Canada may give him the chance to earn additional offensive responsibility that he didn’t receive last year. Belchetz provides size around the net, while Schmidt gives the line a dynamic scoring threat off the wing. Cootes can serve as the group’s primary connector through the middle, retrieve pucks, and create space for his linemates.

The summer showcase will not determine Canada’s final roster on its own — NHL assignments, injuries, and early-season performances once players return to their clubs will likely reshape some of the competition — but this week Cootes and Malhotra still have an opportunity to influence how Hockey Canada views them before the selection process resumes in December.

One wants to move from a depth role into Canada’s leadership group and the other wants to establish himself as a legitimate option in a crowded position, and demonstrate the pace required at the international level.

Their first test comes Wednesday against Sweden, one of the showcase’s most skilled and structured teams.