**Title: Braeden Cootes Aims for Canucks' Opening Night Roster**

Eighteen-year-old Braeden Cootes is on the verge of making history with the Vancouver Canucks. He is close to becoming the first 18-year-old to start the season with the team since Petr Nedved in the 1990-91 season. Cootes has successfully navigated the final round of roster cuts, leaving him in contention for a spot on the 23-man opening night roster, which must be submitted to the NHL by Monday at 2 p.m.

On Sunday, the Canucks reassigned defensemen Tom Willander and Victor Mancini to their AHL affiliate in Abbotsford. This move reduced the roster to 24 players. Left winger Nils Höglander, who is recovering from ankle surgery, is expected to be placed on injured reserve when the roster is finalized.

The Canucks may still make roster adjustments before their regular season opener against the Calgary Flames on Thursday. They could opt to trade a player or call someone up from Abbotsford. However, the current plan appears to include Cootes, who has impressed coaches with his mature two-way play during training camp and preseason.

"I wouldn’t say surprised," Cootes said when asked about his status with the team. "I’m obviously honored that I’m still here and very grateful, but I believed I could do it. I’m just trying to work as hard as I can. I’m just trying to control what I can control and take everything day by day. I’m just trying to earn another day."

Cootes, selected 15th overall in the recent NHL Draft, skated on a line with veteran Evander Kane and Jonathan Lekkerimäki during practice. Known for his defensive skills, Cootes also showcased his offensive talent last season, scoring 26 goals and recording 63 points in 60 games with the Seattle Thunderbirds in the WHL.

Interestingly, Nedved was also drafted from the Thunderbirds, going second overall in 1990. Last season, only six players from the previous draft class played in the NHL, with Macklin Celebrini being the only one to play a full season. Among the 2023 draft class, only two 18-year-olds, Connor Bedard and Zach Benson, made a significant impact in their rookie seasons.

Cootes expressed appreciation for the guidance he has received from Kane. "He’s been great to me and Lekki," Cootes said. "He’s been patient with us, always being positive, giving us little ideas. And he’s also creating space for us in games, because he has obviously such a big presence and is such a good player."

Cootes has the opportunity to play up to nine games with the Canucks before his entry-level contract kicks in. If he plays a tenth game, the contract will begin this season. If he is sent back before that milestone, his contract will slide to the next season, allowing the team an additional year before needing to negotiate a new deal.

Historically, few players have made the Canucks' opening night roster at 18. Trevor Linden was one of the few to do so in 1988-89. Daniel and Henrik Sedin turned 20 during their rookie seasons in 2000-01, while Elias Pettersson was 20 in his first season in 2018-19. Quinn Hughes made his debut at 19, playing five games at the end of the 2018-19 season. Cootes is now poised to join this select group if he secures a spot on the roster for the upcoming season.