Canucks Signed Braeden Coots Signed 3-year entry-level contract – Hockey Writer – Vancouver Canucks

On Wednesday afternoon, the Vancouver Canucks announced that they had signed Braeden Cootes to a three-year entry-level contract (ELC). The 18-year-old Center was ranked 15th by the Canucks in the 2025 NHL Draft.

“Brayden performed well in our development camp and we were happy to have him sign a contract,” Alvin said. “From the first day, his level of competition and aspiration to be one of the best players on the ice. We love his hard work and attention to detail and we look forward to helping him improve as a hockey player.”

Cootes scored a career-high 26 goals and 63 points against The Seattle Thunderbirds, making the team compatible this season before Sawyer Mynio was traded to the Calgary Killer. He then became the full captain for the rest of the season. He also wore a “C” for the Canadian team at the 2025 U18 World Championships and led them to a gold medal in Sweden. He scored six team-leading goals and 12 points to become Canada’s top three players while releasing the best 71.79 opposing percentages.

While it may be too early, as Coots hit his ceiling right now, he could get Canucks out of training camp, play at least nine games and then send back to the Western Hockey League (WHL). Insider Rick Dhaliwal confirmed this shortly after he was ranked 15th overall, which Cootes would not join the NCAA team, but if he doesn’t make the NHL roster, he will return to the Thunderbirds.

Cootes signed his ELC, which added more interest to the camp, especially if Canucks hadn’t addressed their demand for second-tier centers by then. He has the style that can make it a game early in his career, similar to Bo Horvat, who played his first full season in the NHL at the age of 19. Cootes would have done that a year ago, but given his work ethics and two-way play, I wouldn’t let it surprise him and go beyond the nine-game trial period.