The London Knights announced this week that they have secured the rights of 18‑year‑old goaltender Brian Cooke through an Ontario Hockey League Scholarship and Development Agreement, a move that adds a fresh arm to a crease that lost a key piece in the offseason.
Cooke spent the previous campaign in the North American Hockey League, suiting up for the Minot Minotauros where he posted a 15‑10‑0 record, two shutouts and a 2.96 goals‑against average while stopping 90.9 percent of shots faced.
He also made a brief relief appearance for the Omaha Lancers in the United States Hockey League, and his performances earned him a third‑round selection, 61st overall, in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection.
Development Path and Draft Background
The Knights have indicated that Andrei Medvedev, a Vancouver Canucks prospect, is the leading candidate to start between the pipes, with Cooke slated to battle for a backup role alongside the 18‑year‑old Seth Ronan, a ninth‑round pick from the GOHL’s Strathroy Rockets.
The departure of Sebastian Gatto, who will head to Dartmouth College for his NCAA stint, leaves a vacancy that the organization hopes Cooke and his peers can fill, while Cooke remains committed to enrolling at the University of the Holy Cross for his collegiate career.
General manager and coaching staff say the new agreements reflect a blend of development focus and competitive depth, positioning the Knights to remain contenders in the Eastern Conference as they look ahead to the next season.