Canucks’ Demko on 2026 Olympics: ‘If I can play up to my standard, I will be on that team’

In Thatcher Demko and Kevin Lankinen, the Vancouver Canucks believe they have one of the best goaltending tandems in the NHL.

But public opinion is mixed on the Canucks’ goaltenders, namely on Demko, who missed chunks of time last season with various injuries en route to an .889 save percentage through 23 games. It’s a year where Demko is eager to prove to everyone that he can be the goaltender he’s been in the past, including the decision makers who didn’t include him on the USA Olympics Orientation Camp roster last month.

“Probably before last year, I probably would have been on that team,” Demko said. “Things unfolded how they did, and it’s out of my control. I get asked that a lot, in friend groups or whatever, but for me, my focus is game number one. And obviously being on the Olympic team would be an honour and something that every guy wants to be a part of, but for me, after what I’ve been through, my focus has always been on game one and being ready for that.

“I truly believe that if I can play up to my standard, that I will be on that team.”

Demko also talked about his summer preparation. At this time last year, Demko was speaking to reporters about his offseason setback and how frustrating it was not to have concrete answers on his health.

“Super grateful for the summer I had. Certainly gained some perspective just going through what I went through last year. I’m super confident in the work I put in and grateful for the staff. We put a solid plan in place early in the summer, and I definitely executed it. I feel good, feel confident… Excited to move forward.

“Going through the summer, obviously you’re working on your physical side of things, and obviously going through last year, it was challenging mentally and physically. As much work as I put in on the physical side, I put just as much work in on the mental side too. Just reminding myself who I am and knowing that I’m still capable of doing the things that I know I can do. Definitely excited to continue that through camp and into the season.”

Watch the full Demko scrum below via the CanucksArmy YouTube channel!