Welcome back to the Canucks Prospects Report. As the NHL regular season winds down, our focus shifts toward the future. For the Vancouver Canucks, that future is currently battling through the high-intensity environment of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Playoffs.
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This past week provided a definitive look at which prospects are rising to the occasion and which saw their junior seasons come to an abrupt end. With the first round mostly in the books, here is how the organization’s CHL contingent performed.
Cootes & Alcos Advance to 2nd Round of WHL Playoffs
In the Western Hockey League (WHL), the Canucks’ top-tier talent has lived up to the billing. The standout story remains Braeden Cootes and the Prince Albert Raiders. After a dominant regular season where they finished atop the Eastern Conference, the Raiders handled their first-round matchup against the Red Deer Rebels with professional efficiency.
Cootes has been the engine for Prince Albert. His ability to control the pace of play and win crucial draws has translated seamlessly from the regular season to the postseason. The Raiders secured their spot in the second round earlier this week, and Cootes appears primed for a deep run before likely turning pro next season.
Further West, Parker Alcos and the Kelowna Rockets made quick work of the Kamloops Blazers. Alcos, known more for his reliable defensive presence than offensive flair, played heavy minutes in a four-game sweep. His ability to shut down high-end opposition — specifically neutralizing top draft-eligible talent — was a key factor in Kelowna’s advancement. The Rockets now wait to see who they will face in the second round, but Alcos has already proven he can handle the increased physical demands of playoff hockey.
Chiarot Advances to 2nd Round of OHL Playoffs
Moving to the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), the Kitchener Rangers entered the postseason as a favourite, and they haven’t disappointed. Gabe Chiarot, a 2025 late-round gem who the Canucks signed to an entry-level contract shortly after his draft, has been a physical force.
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The Rangers completed a four-game sweep of the Saginaw Spirit. Chiarot’s game is built for this time of year; he excels at finishing checks and making life difficult for opposing defenders in the corners. While he may not lead the team in scoring, his abrasive style provides the secondary grit necessary for a championship run. Kitchener is set to begin their second-round series against the Soo Greyhounds on April 10.
Tough Exits in London and Kingston
It wasn’t all good news this week, as two notable prospects saw their seasons end. Perhaps the most surprising exit was the London Knights, who fell in five games to the Soo Greyhounds.
Goaltender Aleksei Medvedev had a difficult second half of the season, losing the starting role to Sebastian Gatto. However, Medvedev was called upon in Game 4 to keep the Knights’ season alive. He delivered a stellar performance, stopping 25 of 26 shots to earn his first career playoff win. Unfortunately, the Greyhounds proved too strong in Game 5, ending London’s bid for a repeat. For Medvedev, this postseason was a mixed bag, but his Game 4 bounce-back showed the mental resilience the Canucks scouting staff values.
Meanwhile, Kieren Dervin and the Kingston Frontenacs were swept by a powerhouse Ottawa 67’s squad. Dervin was a bright spot for a retooling Kingston team this season, but they were simply outmatched. This marks the end of Dervin’s junior career, as he is committed to Penn State for the 2026-27 season.
Riley Patterson’s OHL Career Concludes
The most productive Canucks prospect in the OHL this season saw his playoff journey end on Saturday (April 4). Riley Patterson and the Niagara IceDogs were eliminated in five games by his former team, the Barrie Colts.
Related: Riley Patterson Is a Rising Star in the Canucks’ Prospect Pool
Despite the early exit, Patterson was a standout. He led the IceDogs in playoff scoring, averaging two points per game throughout the brief series. His final week was highlighted by a massive four-point performance in Game 4, though it wasn’t enough to overcome a deep Barrie roster. Patterson finished his regular season with 40 goals and 84 points, establishing himself as one of the most lethal shooters in the league. With his junior eligibility likely exhausted and an NHL contract in hand, Patterson is expected to join the Abbotsford Canucks in the American Hockey League (AHL) for the rest of the season.
CHL Prospect Playoff Tracker (As of April 5, 2026)
| Prospect | Team (League) | 1st Round Stats | Series Status |
| Braeden Cootes | Prince Albert (WHL) | 5 GP, 2 G, 4 A, 6 PTS | Advanced (4-1 vs RD) |
| Parker Alcos | Kelowna (WHL) | 4 GP, 0 G, 3 A, 3 PTS | Advanced (4-0 vs KAM) |
| Gabe Chiarot | Kitchener (OHL) | 4 GP, 2 G, 0 A, 2 PTS | Advanced (4-0 vs SAG) |
| Riley Patterson | Niagara (OHL) | 5 GP, 4 G, 4 A, 8 PTS | Eliminated (1-4 vs BAR) |
| Aleksei Medvedev | London (OHL) | 1-1, 2.50 GAA, .906 SV% | Eliminated (1-4 vs SOO) |
| Kieren Dervin | Kingston (OHL) | 4 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 2 PTS | Eliminated (0-4 vs OTT) |
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