Prince Albert Raiders go all-in, acquire Canucks prospect Cootes from Thunderbirds

Prince Albert Raiders GM Curtis Hunt joins us to discuss the Raiders' massive trade for Seattle Thunderbirds star Braeden Cootes.

The Prince Albert Raiders appear to have pushed their chips into the middle of the table, making one of the biggest WHL trades of the season.

Prince Albert has traded for 18-year-old forward Braeden Cootes from the Seattle Thunderbirds following his appearance for Team Canada at the World Juniors.

Cootes, the Captain of the Thunderbirds, was chosen 15th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2025 NHL Draft.

“Our play up to this point has been exceptional,” explained Raiders general manager Curtis Hunt. “To have an opportunity to pick up a player like Braeden to add to the crew, we’re just really excited.”

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Along with Cootes, the Raiders also receive a 2026 fourth round draft pick, a 2026 sixth rounder and a conditional 2028 second rounder. The young star didn’t come cheap, with Prince Albert sending player Ethan Bibeau and prospects Knox Burton, Diego Gutierrez and Tripp Fishcher to Seattle. The Thunderbirds will also receive Prince Albert’s 2026 first and second round picks, a 2027 third and a 2028 first .

“We’ve done a really good job of stockpiling picks,” said Hunt, justifying the steep price paid. “I still have several picks left, and our scouting staff does a tremendous job of finding diamonds in the rough.”

Hunt says Cootes could make his Raiders debut this weekend, potentially Friday when the team hosts the Swift Current Broncos.

Prince Albert is currently ranked third overall in the 2025-26 CHL Top-10 Rankings presented by Delta Hotels by Marriott.