The Canadian Hockey League Finals are officially underway across the country as teams battle for their respective league championships and spots at the 2026 Memorial Cup in Kelowna, BC.

This year, the Vancouver Canucks have two prospects in that fight, with Braeden Cootes and Gabe Chiarot both helping their clubs jump out to early series leads.

On Friday night, the Prince Albert Raiders opened the WHL Championship series in Everett, Washington, against the high-powered Silvertips.

Although Everett struck first in the opening period, the Raiders responded with a dominant three-goal second frame en route to a 4-2 victory. Canucks 2025 first-round pick Braeden Cootes was named first star of the game after having his hands all over the final result. The Sherwood Park native helped spark Prince Albert’s offence with a slick behind-the-back feed into the slot for his first point of the series.

Later that period, he wired a seeing-eye shot from distance that slipped clean through the goaltender’s five-hole for his seventh goal of the postseason and 20th playoff point.

Cootes finished the night with a goal, an assist, four shots on goal, and a plus-2 rating. He was heavily praised on the broadcast for his impact away from the puck and continues to play a major role in Prince Albert’s deep playoff run thanks to his ability to drive play in all three zones.

Game 2 is set for Saturday at 6:00 PM PT, as the Raiders look to take a commanding 2-0 series lead.

Over in the Ontario Hockey League, Gabe Chiarot and the Kitchener Rangers now hold a 2-0 series lead after a 4-3 overtime victory on Friday evening. After Barrie opened the scoring, Chiarot responded in the second period, jamming away at a loose puck for his fourth goal of the postseason.

The Canucks’ 2025 sixth-round pick finished the night with six shots on goal, four penalty minutes, and a plus-1 rating while continuing to provide energy and physicality in a middle-six role.

Game 3 is scheduled for Sunday at 3:00 PM PT, with the Rangers now looking to take full control of the series on the road. Canucks fans can catch both league finals on TSN this year.