Braeden Cootes is recognized for his impressive hockey skills, which led to him being picked 15th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2025 NHL Draft. As captain of the Seattle Thunderbirds, Cootes has been widely discussed for his leadership abilities and is often compared to former Canucks captain Bo-Bat for his character and two-way playing style. While his leadership and versatility on the ice are key strengths, Cootes is also focused on improving another important part of his game: his shooting.
“I really enjoy shooting pucks,” Cootes shared after the first day of the Canucks’ development camp last week. “It’s fun to practice, and Edmonton has a fantastic shooting facility at the gym.”
Cootes’ dedication to shooting practice is influenced by Braden Point of the Tampa Bay Lightning, a player he looks up to. Point has scored over 40 goals in each of the past three seasons, including 51 goals in 2022-23. However, Cootes doesn’t only admire Point; he also trains alongside other NHL draft picks like Oren Zelweger (Anaheim Ducks), Kirby (Montreal Canadiens), Colton Dach (Chicago Blackhawks), and Kaiden Goule (Montreal Canadiens).
“There are many talented players you can learn from, even from a distance, by watching how they shoot and how hard they work,” Cootes remarked. “There’s a lot I can learn from observing them.”
This exposure to different players’ techniques has helped Cootes improve his offensive game, leading to 26 goals and 37 assists in 60 regular season games with the Thunderbirds in 2024-25. Fans got a closer look at his skills during the recent development camp. When discussing his preparation for the NHL, Cootes highlighted some key training methods he employs.
“I focus on deception, trying different techniques, and watching videos,” he explained. “I haven’t filmed my NHL goals yet, but I plan to in the next few months to set a good benchmark.”
Cootes also studies the playing styles of both skaters and goaltenders to refine his shooting. He’s aware of certain trends in how NHL goals are scored.
“(Connor) Helebuick, who is about 6’4’, is tough to shoot high against,” Cootes noted. “Goalies don’t like to move too much because it takes extra effort. You can use a bit of trickery, freeze them, or aim for gaps like the five-hole.”
[Image description: Canucks at the Canucks Development Camp will see Braeden Cootes. (Photo credit: Kaja Antitic/THN)]
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Fan Take: Braeden Cootes’ focus on perfecting his shot—and his leadership qualities—make him a promising prospect for the Canucks and the NHL’s future. His development highlights how young talent is embracing both skill and strategy, which could lead to exciting and dynamic play styles in the sport going forward.
