Canucks make a decision on 18 year old rookie Braeden Cootes

This just in, the Vancouver Canucks have sent 18 year old rookie Braeden Cootes back to the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds. They have also recalled forward Max Sasson from the AHL's Abbortsford Canucks in a corresponding move.

Cootes was selected 15th overall by the Canucks this past offseason in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft and earned a roster spot with a stellar pre-season, but he has struggled to make an impact through three regular season games. With the emergence of players like Arsheep Bains, Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Drew O'Connor and Aatu Raty amongst the team's depth forward ranks, there's simply not any meaningful ice time for Cootes on this team. This seems like a wise move to get the kid some more playing time in the WHL.