Cootes shouts out one Vancouver Canucks teammate who really helped him
The Braeden Cootes success story with the Vancouver Canucks is over, at least for now.
An impressive training camp and preseason from the 18-year-old prompted the Canucks to keep him on the opening-night roster.
However, Cootes lasted just three games before the Canucks sent him back to the WHL on Tuesday.
The Sherwood Park, Alta., native joined Donnie and Dhali on Thursday to talk about his experience in Vancouver, where he highlighted one teammate who really helped him out.
“We have obviously a few older guys that have been in the league for a long time and been in Vancouver for a long time,” Cootes told hosts Don Taylor and Rick Dhaliwal.
“Kiefer Sherwood was one that was awesome to me,” Cootes said. “First day of training camp, he felt like my teammate. He was so easy to talk to. He was on my line, too, so that obviously made it easier to get to know him right away.
“But, there were so many guys on the team that were great to me.”
Cootes mainly played with two veterans throughout preseason and training camp, as both Sherwood and Evander Kane were his most common linemates.
Sherwood spoke highly of Cootes during the preseason.
“I mean, 18… the kid is a stud,” Sherwood said following the Canucks preseason win over the Seattle Kraken on Sept. 26.
“He’s already composed, playing the right way, and he’s got some grit to his game. It’s gonna be exciting to see him continue to put in the work.”
Flying skate jersey and no bucket? What a rookie lap for Braeden Cootes 🙌 pic.twitter.com/SMUn3Xb9nZ
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 10, 2025
Cootes finished the preseason with two goals and four points in four games. He was pointless in three NHL regular-season games before being sent back to the WHL.
Canucks fans should see him play for Team Canada at the World Juniors this winter.
“That’s the number one goal right now,” Cootes said. “Even in the summer, I had my mind on trying to make the team this year for the World Juniors.”
“Obviously, not an easy team to make, you know, with Canada, because we’re so good. It’s been my goal, and I want to do that. I want to help them out and win the gold medal.”