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Vancouver Canucks 1st-Round Draft Pick Braeden Cootes Suffers Injury at World Junior Showcase
Photo credit: TSN
Vancouver Canucks top prospect reportedly suffered an injury while playing for Canada at the World Junior Summer Showcase last week in Minnesota.
The 2025 World Junior Summer Showcase wrapped up on Saturday afternoon after an action-packed week with some of the game's top prospects, including Braeden Cootes, Vancouver's first rounder back in June, who was named to Canada's roster.
Team Canada didn't have the week they were hoping for, dropping their first two games of the showcase to Finland and Sweden by a combined score of 14 to 7, while also dealing with some injury issues as well.
Vancouver Canucks prospect reportedly suffers injury at World Junior Summer Showcase
After appearing in Canada's split squad game on Tuesday and their opener against Finland the next day, Braeden Cootes was expected to suit up for Friday's contest against Sweden, however when the lineup was released, he was absent.
When meeting with reporters after the 8-4 loss to the Swedes, Canadian Head Coach Dale Hunter shared that Michael Misa, Henry Mews and Braeden Cootes were all dealing with injuries and were game-time decisions for Saturday against the United States.
"Canada coach Dale Hunter described injuries to Michael Misa, Henry Mews and Braeden Cootes as "light stuff, not heavy stuff." He said there's a chance one of them, along with defenseman Harrison Brunicke (illness), could play tomorrow vs. the U.S. Will be a game-time decision." Adam Kimelman of NHL.com said.
Ahead of Saturday's puck drop, Michael Misa and Henry Mews were cleared to return to Canada, while Braeden Cootes sat out his second consecutive game, but there doesn't appear to be a whole lot of concern as it's considered minor.
"Canada and USA lineups for today's final game at the World Junior Summer Showcase. Michael Misa and Henry Mews back for Canada after sitting out yesterday. Braeden Cootes (banged up) and Harrison Brunicke (illness) sitting out." Kimelman said.
Thankfully, Cootes is okay, but there's no question he's disappointed that he wasn't able to show Canada's World Junior staff what he could bring to their roster later this year, but with a strong start to the WHL season, he may get another opportunity to do so in mid-December.
Barring any changes, Cootes will likely be ready to go for training camp with the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds in a matter of weeks, with their first preseason game scheduled for September 2nd against the Prince Albert Raiders.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 3 | 1442 ANSWERS Vancouver Canucks 1st-Round Draft Pick Braeden Cootes Suffers Injury at World Junior Showcase Will Braeden Cootes make Canada's World Junior roster in December? | ||
| Yes | 1133 | 78.6 % |
| No | 309 | 21.4 % |
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