F Braeden Cootes - Seattle Thunderbirds, WHL (2025 Draft)

[LeProspector]

Braeden Cootes at eliteprospects.com

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Braeden Cootes, 2007-02-09 Sherwood Park, AB, CAN Canada. Most recently in the WHL with Seattle Thunderbirds. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

Impressive state line for the rookie, anyone have any further info?

Click to read more...

 

[cole33]

Ranked 19th on Bob Mckenzie’s pre season draft rankings

 

[dr1234]

Not only that but the criteria for this list is that 3/10 scouts had to have a player ranked top 16 to make the cut.

 

[BKarchitect]

@landy92mack29 What can you say about Cootes? This is by far the highest I've seen him rated and obviously Bobby's list holds a bit more weight than some random EP user list.

Thanks!

 

[landy92mack29]

Right now I'd have him as more a 2nd heading into the year as he needs to grow his offense to justify a 1st for me but he's a old school 200ft hard to play against player. A high floor but not super high ceiling based off last year. Good bet to be a nhler the question is if it'll only be as a bottom 6 guy or if he can develop his offense to maybe end up a 2nd liner in the NHL. We'll see how he does this year as lots of players make big jumps from their draft -1 to draft year. Promising player though

 

[GoBoltz56]

Steve Yzerman has entered the chat

 

[Briser la glace]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1842409282492322054

 

[MichaelFarrell]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1842409282492322054

You love seeing this. He literally won the puck after batting four players!

That type of motor and drive to get the puck is one of my absolute favor traits in young hockey players.

 

[macbowes]

You love seeing this. He literally won the puck after batting four players!

That type of motor and drive to get the puck is one of my absolute favor traits in young hockey players.

I think it's the least teachable attribute. Either you're comfortable battling for pucks, or you're not. That type of player translates well to the NHL, where soft play will be punished. Guys like Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, or Brady Martin, or Cootes, have that instinctive will to fight for pucks. It's great to watch.

 

[Bubbles]

3A tonight.

 

[MichaelFarrell]

From what I’ve seen so far, I think he’s probably the best defensive forward I’ve seen this draft. I think Victor Eklund is certainly up there, but Cootes is a great player to watch.

Braeden Cootes is the first line center on the Seattle Thunderbirds. He is a player that is put in all situations. It is a bit rare to see such a young player play such a team-oriented game. He is one of the hardest working players I’ve seen this year and he is certainly the most unselfish. Braeden Cootes’ decision making in the defensive zone is outstanding. He is all over the ice, he’s like a wet blanket on his opposition, and he seems to know where the puck is going to go. It’s extremely important for the opposition to avoid lazy passes or stupid mistakes in the offensive zone because Cootes will make them pay. He is extremely engaged every time he steps on the ice and is looking to take the puck away from the opponents. In the offensive zone, Cootes is much more a playmaker. He is looking to se opponents up, set up tip shots, and go to the dirty areas for puck retrievals. He thrives below the dots. He is the not most skilled player offensively, but he outworks opponents and has the overall hockey sense to be an effective player offensively.

Cootes is still a raw player despite his obvious understanding of how the game should be played. He has good mobility but will be a much more effective player if he continues to work on his first-step acceleration. He will also need to bulk up to truly implement his game at the next level. Cootes’ offensive ceiling is not certain. While he’s clearly a coachable player, he doesn’t possess true one-on-one skill with the puck. He needs to get better with the puck on his stick and improve his overall puck possession ability. He is a bit of a project, but he’s the type of player you’d certainly want in your system.

Cootes could project as an up and down the lineup winger that can provide energy, defensive responsibility, and secondary offense. While he could become a center due to his mobility and defensive zone IQ, I think it’s far more likely that he will be a winger at the NHL level. I think he’s certainly a 1st round pick in this draft and would love to have him on my team.