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Canucks prospects Cootes and Malhotra impress in Canada’s showcase opener
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Photo credit: © Steven Ellis | The Nation Network
Jeffrey Kennett
Jul 30, 2026, 00:13 EDT
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Vancouver Canucks prospects Braeden Cootes and Caleb Malhotra made their debuts at the 2026 World Junior Summer Showcase on Wednesday as Team Canada opened the tournament with a 5-3 loss to Team Sweden in Windsor, Ont. 
Cootes wore the captain’s “C” and scored during a bonus overtime period (despite a losing result), while Malhotra created several quality chances and delivered an effective two-way performance in defeat.
It’s a familiar pattern for Cootes, after the Canucks’ 2025 first-round pick captained Canada to gold at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship and has also worn the “C” at the junior level. Brady Martin and Carson Carels served as alternate captains for Canada.
Cootes grew up in Sherwood Park, Alta., just outside Edmonton, which will co-host the 2027 World Juniors with Red Deer. Wearing a letter near his hometown would undoubtedly be a huge honour for the 19-year-old, should he earn a place on Canada’s final roster.
The 2025 15th overall pick skated between Ethan Belchetz and Cameron Schmidt on Canada’s top line, while Malhotra centred Philippe Veilleux and Martin on the second unit, keeping both Vancouver prospects in the middle despite Canada’s strong depth at centre.
Utilizing Malhotra as a second-line centre is an encouraging sign that Hockey Canada views him as an important part of its roster. Martin already owns World Junior experience, yet the coaching staff shifted him to the wing and gave Malhotra responsibility through the middle.
Canada outshot Sweden 35-22 and even led three separate times during regulation but ultimately could not prevail. 
Jimmy Lombardi opened the scoring for the red and white before Sweden tied the game with three seconds remaining in the first period. Tynan Lawrence restored Canada’s lead early in the second, but Filip Ekberg answered back for the Swedes.
Malhotra also came close to creating a goal during one of Canada’s best offensive sequences. He pursued the puck into the offensive zone, stayed with the play under pressure and delivered a well-placed pass into a dangerous area that nearly resulted in a goal.
He finished without a point, but the third-overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft made several effective plays away from the puck. Malhotra disrupted Swedish possessions, produced takeaways, and helped his line create chances off the rush.
Belchetz made it 3-2 early in the third before Elton Hermansson tied the game on the power play. Theo Stockselius later scored the winner with under six minutes remaining before depositing an empty-netter for his second of the night.
Following regulation time, the teams continued with a prearranged three-on-three overtime and shootout for evaluation purposes. Cootes scored during the bonus overtime, although the goal did not change the official result. He was later foiled in the shootout by goaltender Isak Sörqvist.
Elsewhere at the showcase, Canucks prospect Brooks Rogowski remained in Team USA’s lineup after the Americans consolidated their two camp rosters, but went without a point in Wednesday’s 3-2 loss to Finland. Rogowski had scored in each of his first two games and has two goals and three points through three appearances.
Canada returns to action Thursday against Finland before concluding the showcase Saturday against the United States.
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