The Prince Albert Raiders acquired star forward Braeden Cootes from the Seattle Thunderbirds as they load up for the second half of the WHL season.

Prince Albert also receives three draft picks as part of the deal while Seattle acquires forwards Ethan Bibeau, Knox Burton, Tripp Fischer, defenceman Diego Gutierrez, and four draft picks, including first round picks in 2026 and 2028.

Cootes, 18, was drafted 15th overall by the Vancouver Canucks last June and began the season in the NHL, appearing in three games.

The 6-foot centre recorded 10 goals and 23 points in 17 games with the Thunderbirds this season before joining Canada at the World Juniors.

Cootes recorded two goals in seven games with Canada in a bronze-medal finish.

The Sherwood Park, Alta., native played his entire four-year WHL career in Seattle, recording 50 goals and 122 points in 148 games. He was named captain of the team for the 2024-25 campaign, leading them to the playoffs.

He joins a Prince Albert team that leads the East Division with a 27-5-4 record and is three points behind the Everett Silvertips for the best record in the WHL.

The Thunderbirds acquire three prospects in Burton, Fischer, and Gutierrez who have yet to play in the WHL.

Gutierrez, 16, was drafted 31st overall by the Raiders in the WHL US Prospects Draft in 2024.

The 6-foot-2 right-shot defenceman currently plays for the United States Under-17 National Team and has two goals and 17 points in 32 games. He has committed to the NCAA’s University of Notre Dame for the 2027-28 campaign and is eligible for the 2027 NHL Draft.

Fischer, 15, was drafted 52nd overall by the Raiders in the 2025 WHL Draft and has four goals and 16 points in 18 games with the Lloydminster Lancers of the Alberta Elite Hockey League.

Burton, 16, was drafted 111th overall by Prince Albert in 2024 and has 16 goals and 26 points with Pilot Mount Academic U18 Prep in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League.

The Thunderbirds also acquire 19-year-old Bibeau, who has a goal and five points in 15 games in Prince Albert this season.

The 6-foot-1 centre was drafted 120th overall by the Raiders in 2022 and has 10 goals and 25 points in 81 career WHL Games.