The Canucks kept their pick, and for the first time in over a decade, selected a WHL'er. Today should be where the excitement is, with the Canucks on the board for five more picks (at the moment)

I was about 75% certain that there was going to be some sort of deal, but in the end, the Canucks used their first round pick, and seem to have gotten a pretty solid choice at Number Fifteen. Braeden Cootes is a Centre from the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds, and the scouting on him is that he's a smaller Bo Horvat type player. Absolutely tenacious forechecking, a solid compliment of offensive skills, and a complete two way game. The kind of player that goes full bore every shift. And a right hand shot, to boot!

He was the youngest captain in WHL last season, and also donned the 'C' for Team Canada at the World Under 18's, leading them to a gold medal, leading the team in scoring, and was the best faceoff man in the tournament.

The Canucks will pick at 47, 65, 143, 175, and 207. That Number 65 pick is the first pick of the third round, so pretty much like having two second round picks. What we need to watch for is deals. How many of these picks will get used, and who will the Canucks be moving to try and add pieces/fill gaps on a team that has to be better this season. I would suggest girding one's loins for Arturs Silovs, based on his stellar play this post season for Abbotsford, though the notion that the team could part with Thatcher Demko isn't unreasonable for the right price.