Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

Canucks' Thatcher Demko Joins Teammates & Issues Injury Update

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Nov 21, 2024 7:00 AM ET

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko broke silence on Wednesday ahead of the team's road trip and sounded optimistic about his upcoming return to the net of the Canucks.

Demko joined his Vancouver teammates for a six-game road trip, signaling progress in his recovery from a knee injury sustained in last season's playoffs.

The netminder has not played since Game 1 of the Western Conference First Round last spring and was diagnosed with a rare knee injury before the start of the 2024-25 regular season preventing him from making his debut.

“It’s obviously been a long road, so it’s nice to be back with the guys,” Demko said. “I feel really good. It’s the best I’ve felt, obviously, in seven to eight months.

"There’s finally a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel.”

Demko, who was the runner-up for the Vezina Trophy last season, has been working to return to form but he's not rushing his comeback.

The superstar goalie resumed full team practices a little under two weeks ago and has been testing his endurance and capacity for NHL play without setting any precise date for his return.

“I can’t feel good and go back into game action and then have a setback two weeks into playing,” Demko said. “I’ve got to put this thing through hell and know that I can sustain the pressures of being in the NHL every day—playing games, waking up, practicing, traveling.”

The Canucks have been better than expected in Demko’s absence, posting a 9-6-3 record for 21 points with Kevin Lankinen and Arturs Silovs alternating in net.

However, neither of those two backup goalies has matched the consistency and dominance Demko brought last year, where he recorded a .918 save percentage and five shutouts in 51 games.

“When I do come back, I want it to be for the long haul,” Demko said. “There’s still work to do, but we’re moving in the right direction.”

The Canucks begin their road trip Saturday against the Ottawa Senators and won't return to Vancouver until Dec. 6 when they'll host the Columbus Blue Jackets.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: