Vancouver Canucks: Bright future ahead

SHAYLENE TIELMANN/ GATG

June 30, 2025 marked the beginning of the Vancouver Canucks development camp, where prospects from around the world came together for a week of training and bonding. 

The purpose of this camp is for the Canucks organization to take a look at their prospects and see where players can develop further, or if they feel that the player is ready to make their NHL debut. 

Some of the camp attendees have been playing overseas in European leagues, while others have been playing in North America whether it be in the NCAA route or the minor leagues such as the WHL, OHL, or other organizations. 

Throughout the week players had the chance to train with Canucks coaches such as Mikael Samuelsson, and legends like the Sedin twins. Development camp was not about competing for these players but growth and learning as much as they could. 

Aiden Celebrini, a third year development camp returnee was asked if he had given the first year attendees any advice, he stated; “[Y]ou’re not getting judged. Like that’s not what this is for. Just take this opportunity to better your game…But be a sponge…Just be selfish with it. Take as much as you can out of it and use this to just take that next step.” 

Celebrini has taken the NCAA route playing with Boston University. He is entering into his third year with the university, and looking to continue to develop and grow as a player. 

Coach Mikael Samuelsson talked about the change he has seen in Celebrini’s game coming into his third camp; “He’s more competitive now, maybe than the first years, but I see improvement there too, and probably most on the mental side…he’s coming into the groove, and he feels like he’s coming together.”

Celebrini’s growth and leadership could be seen on the ice, while running through drills and scrimmages. 

Samuelsson discussed what players should be aware of moving forward; “[T]hey’re gonna have [to be] patient with their unfolding as a player, you’re not doing anything in a couple of days, just be patient. And also this is a journey. It’s so easy to compare yourself with everybody else here, because you’re competing against all the other players. But at the same time, believe in the path you’re on.” 

This was a common sentiment amongst the players as well. Everyone at the camp was there for a reason, and were focused on developing themselves. Though there was an air of competitiveness amongst the members of the camp, the overall understanding was that they were there to grow their skills on and off the ice. 

Canucks first round draft pick Braeden Cootes talked about his mentality and what he was working on. Similar to Celebrini, Cootes had the “be a sponge” mentality throughout his camp experience. 

He also talked about his work on shooting and how he develops his technique. “Back in my gym in Edmonton, we got a pretty nice shooting area there that I like to work on a lot, but yeah, different watching guys, different ways to score…”

Cootes is one to watch in the coming year, as he continues to grow and face players of higher caliber, he knows he can’t rely on one type of shot. Which can be seen as he talks about his shooting style. 

He talked about working on deception, “It’s pretty hard to shoot high sometimes, you know, boys don’t want to go down, either it’s a lot more effort, and if you show a little bit of deception, or you can freeze them for a bit, and the go five hole.”

He knows how to read the players ahead of him, and how to work the goalies to better his chances of getting the puck in the net. You could see this in his determination and scoring through the scrimmage that took place at the end of camp. 

Another player to watch is Wilson Björck, the Canucks fifth round draft pick. He was more than happy to be here despite the unfamiliarity. “I’m not used to this kind of training. I’m not used to the language. It was a lot of fun though.” 

Björck will be going the NCAA route this coming year playing for Colorado College. When asked about the decision he stated; “ …[T]o go somewhere where I can build muscles and go somewhere where I can, like focus on one team and focus on me. I think that would help me develop to be a better player, and I want to get used to a smaller rink and that kind of stuff. So I think I’m super excited for that too.” 

Each one of these players are excited for their future, no matter which route they are on. They’re not taking their time playing for granted, and want to continue to push themselves to be the best players they can be. 

The future of the Canucks organization is looking bright.