The No. 15 overall draft pick from last month is among the 20 forwards in Minneapolis who will play exhibition games against Finland, Sweden and the U.S.<\/p>\n
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Published Jul 27, 2025 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 55\u00a0minutes ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 2 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n Vancouver Canucks<\/a> 2025 first-round draft pick Braeden Cootes is among the 20 forwards and 36 players overall slated to represent Hockey Canada in the World Junior Showcase, which runs today through Saturday in Minneapolis.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events.Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account.The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events.Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account.The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account<\/p>\n or<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Cootes, 18, is a right-shot centre with the WHL\u2019s Seattle Thunderbirds, and Vancouver picked him at No. 15 a month ago in Los Angeles. Cootes signed his three-year, entry-level deal with the Canucks July 9<\/a>, and he\u2019s expected to return this season to the Thunderbirds. He had 26 goals and 63 points in 60 regular season games with a young, rebuilding Seattle team last season. He was Seattle\u2019s captain as well.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n There were 44 players invited to the camp this week, but eight forwards are listed as \u201cunable to attend\u201d by Hockey Canada. The includes Kelowna Rockets centre Tij Iginla and Brandon Wheat Kings centre Roger McQueen, who both missed much of last season with injuries.<\/p>\n Canada\u2019s invited list features seven players from last year\u2019s world junior squad who were eligible to return. Cootes is among 22 players invited who previously won gold at the Under-18 worlds. There are eight 18-year-old forwards invited, including Cootes. The remaining 20 are 19 years old.<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Longtime London Knights coach Dale Hunter is bench boss for this Canadian representative. The tournament is in Minneapolis and St. Paul and gets going Boxing Day.<\/p>\n Cootes has been lauded for his leadership and character. Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said on draft day<\/a>: \u201cThey have a lot of great history of NHL players coming out of that program and Braeden being a captain, a leader of that team, that excited my staff.\u201d<\/p>\n Canucks defence prospect Sawyer Mynio, who was a Cootes teammate with Seattle before being traded to the Calgary Hitmen last year, played for Canada at last year\u2019s world juniors in Ottawa. Canada lost 4-3 to Czechia in the quarterfinals.<\/p>\n Mynio and Cootes shared the \u201cC\u201d before Mynio went to Calgary.<\/p>\n The players this week will spit into two teams for practices and an intrasquad game on Tuesday before facing Finland on Wednesday, Sweden on Friday and the U.S. on Saturday. Every game will be livestreamed at USAHockeyTV.com<\/a> but a subscription is required.<\/p>\n SEwen@postmedia.com<\/a><\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Vancouver Canucks’ door remains open to Jack Roslovic: Report<\/p>\n![\"Seattle](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/0703-sp-reaction.sp_296481096.jpg\")
Seattle Thunderbirds captain Braeden Cootes was drafted by Vancouver in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft. Photo by Courtesy of Seattle ThunderbirdsArticle content<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/19.1.5\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-vp.svg\"){kind=logo}
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Braeden Cootes poses with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman after being drafted by the Vancouver Canucks with the 15th overall pick during the first round of the 2025 Upper Deck NHL Draft in Los Angeles. Photo by Bruce Bennett \/Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Jack](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/gettyimages-1451142619_277227568.jpg\")
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