Canucks GM Stirs Controversy with Bold Comments About the U.S. After Drafting Braeden Cootes
Photo credit: NHL/Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin took a subtle jab at the United States on Friday night after welcoming first round pick Braeden Cootes to the team.
The 2025 National Hockey League Entry Draft got underway on Friday night in Los Angeles, California under a new decentralized format a new decentralized format, which didn't sit well with fans given how long it took to complete the first round - four and a half hours.
To the surprise of some, the Vancouver Canucks ended up using their first round pick (15th overall), following weeks of rumors they may trade it and selected Braeden Cootes of the Western Hockey League's Seattle Thunderbirds.
When welcoming Braeden Cootes to Vancouver, Canucks General Manager raised some eyebrows of the fans in attendance at the Peacock Theater with a comment he made regarding the United States.
Vancouver Canucks GM Patrik Allvin takes subtle jab at United States
After each draft pick was brought to the stage for a picture with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, they then went to a separate room for a quick welcome/hello via Zoom with the management staff of the team that selected them.
When Patrik Allvin was welcoming 15th overall pick Braeden Cootes to the Vancouver Canucks, he congratulated him on returning to the right side of the border, which didn't sit well with fans in attendance.
"Congratulations on returning to right side of the border." Allvin said.
Shortly after the Canucks General Manager commented on the team's decision to select Braeden Cootes with the 15th overall pick and he believes that there's a lot of upside with the Sherwood Park, Alberta native.
"Very excited to have you here in Vancouver. We followed you here the whole year, your character, your ability to drive plays, compete, and your consistency and playing as a right-shot center. We believe there is a lot of upside with you here." Allvin said.
Cootes, 18, had a solid season for the Seattle Thunderbirds in the WHL, putting up 63 points (26 goals, 37 assists) in 60 regular season games, along with eight points in six contests during the playoffs.
The expectation is that Cootes will be returning to the Seattle Thunderbirds for at least another season and if he has a strong first half of the 2025-26 campaign, he very well could end up on Hockey Canada's radar for the 2026 IIHF World Championship.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 28 | 1500 ANSWERS Canucks GM Stirs Controversy with Bold Comments About the U.S. After Drafting Braeden Cootes Did you think Patrik Allvin's subtle jab at the United States last night was funny? | ||
| Yes | 1047 | 69.8 % |
| No | 453 | 30.2 % |
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