Top Vancouver Canucks prospect Braeden Cootes is crossing the border in a huge WHL trade.
The Prince Albert Raiders acquired the 18-year-old forward from the Seattle Thunderbirds on Tuesday in a trade involving 12 pieces, the WHL teams announced.
The Raiders also get three draft picks (one conditional), while the Thunderbirds acquire forward Ethan Bibeau, prospects Knox Burton, Diego Gutierrez, and Tripp Fischer, and four picks, including first-round selections in 2026 and '28.
Picked 15th overall by the Canucks in the 2025 NHL Draft, Cootes helped Canada win a bronze medal at the recently completed world junior hockey championship in Minnesota.
Cootes had two assists in seven games at the world juniors, while he's notched 10 goals and 13 assists in 17 games for Seattle this season.
The native of Sherwood Park, Alta. started the year with the Canucks, playing three games.
The Raiders are tied for second in the WHL's Eastern Conference, while the Thunderbirds are last in the Western Conference.
The Raiders' next game is Friday against visiting Swift Current.
