Thatcher Demko

September 2020 – Time for graduation. The 24-year-old departed the world of prospects with a BANG. His playoff performance against the Golden Knights was one for the ages. After not starting a game for six months, he goes out to play three elimination games in four nights. The result: two wins, a shutout, just two goals on 127 shots, but sadly, a Game 7 defeat. We’ll need to see what the club does with UFA Jacob Markstrom, but it’s clear that the former Boston College standout is ready to be given the reins. Cam Robinson

February 2020 – Demko’s first full season in the NHL has been good, but not great. His starts have been few and far between while starter, Jacob Markstrom has played at a Vezina/Hart-level for much of the campaign. Now, with Markstrom appearing to be out for some time, the 24-year-old Demko will get a chance to run with the ball. How he plays will likely impact the club’s decision on Markstrom’s expiring contract and the upcoming Seattle expansion draft. Demko remains a high-end goaltending prospect, and may just elevate himself to likely starter soon. Cam Robinson

October 2019 – Demko was more than game in his brief spin as the Canucks starter. With Jacob Markstrom away from the team for personal matters, Demko handled the action for three straight contests. He came away with two wins, a 0.943 save percentage and 1.64 goals-against. The 23-year-old will look to prove able whenever his name is called to convince management that he can replace Markstrom who is in the final year of his deal. With Vancouver appearing to be a team on the rise, if Demko does end up with the ball next year, the pay-off could be substantial. Cam Robinson

April 2019 – Demko finally saw some NHL action down the stretch for the Canucks and performed admirably. He finished with a 4-3-1 record with a 0.913 save percentage. It was an odd year for the 23-year-old. After a concussion robbed him of much of the first half of the campaign he then found himself playing backup goaltender for the first time since being a rookie pro. That led to Demko only seeing 25 games in 2018-19. Not exactly ideal for the development of a high-end asset. Demko recently signed a two-year extension for 1.05 million per season. He’s expected to back-up Jacob Markstrom again next season, but it’s hoped he’ll see at 30-35 starts. Cam Robinson

January 2019 – Demko received his first start of the season and second of his career against Buffalo on Friday night; and boy was it a good one. The 23-year-old was phenomenal as the Canucks held off the Sabres 4-3 despite being outshot 39-23 on the night. He made several clutch saves to preserve the victory and becomes the first Canucks’ netminder to begin his career 2-0. With 32 games left on the schedule, it’s likely Demko sees around 10 more starts barring injury or a collapse in play by Jakob Markstrom. Next season that battle should truly begin for the right to the lion share of starts. Cam Robinson

January 2019 – The Canucks have decided its finally time to give Thatcher Demko some sustained NHL action. The team traded away backup netminder, Anders Nilsson earlier this week and promoted their top goaltending prospect. Demko comes up after playing 107 career American League contests, producing a 0.915 save percentage. It’s expected the 23-year-old should see around 10 games down the stretch to relieve Jakob Markstrom. He remains the goaltender of the future, that future is just inching closer with each day.  Cam Robinson

December 2018 – Demko recently returned to action after missing the first two months with a concussion he suffered during the Canucks main camp. The 22-year-old netminder is widely considered one of the top prospects at his position and he’ll look to resolidify that notion with strong play to close out 2018. With Jacob Markstrom and Anders Nilsson not exactly dominating on the big squad, Demko’s NHL opportunity may not be far off. Cam Robinson

September 2018 – Although many armchair GMs have been clammering for Demko to take the reigns in Vancouver this year, preseason action has shown that the 22-year-old isn’t quite there yet. The plan remains in place. Demko will shoulder the load on a very strong Utica Comets’ squad in 2018-19. That will be far more valuable than seeing a fraction of the time as an NHL backup. He should assume the backup/platoon role in 2019-20 before truly pushing for the top spot the following season. However, if Jacob Markstrom were to suffer a long-term injury, Demko could see significant time on the big club and may even get a chance to run with it. Until then though, he remains a high-end prospect and one to target in keeper leagues. Cam Robinson

March 2018 – It appears as though Thatcher Demko will receive his first NHL start this evening at home against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Canucks have been playing well of late, but a large part of that has been the stellar play of Jacob Markstrom. Hopefully, the young netminder can continue that trend and witness success early. Regardless, this should be a nice glimpse into the level he’ll need his game to be at as he heads into a crucial summer of training. Cam Robinson

March 2018 – Demko has been recalled on an emergency basis due to Anders Nilsson coming down with an illness but it is unclear if he will get to see a start. Much has been spoken about the prospect of using one of the remaining call-ups to get Demko a look at some NHL action in order to better prepare him for next season, but it appeared as though the team would leave him in Utica to prepare for the team’s playoff run; that is until this recent illness to the backup. The talented netminder has been the backbone of the AHL squad all season, recording a 21-12-6 record to go along with a .921 save percentage. It is clear that the former second-round selection is the heir apparent in Vancouver but it will be paramount that he is not rushed into a poor situation. Another season in Utica would likely be beneficial. Cam Robinson

January 2018 – Demko continues to shine in his second professional campaign. He has fully taken over the starter’s role and has rattled off a 13-6-5 record with 2.34 GAA, 0.927 SV% and one shutout. His save percentage mark is good for fifth best in the AHL. While the Canucks’ netminders continue to struggle, many question whether it’s time to move the organization’s top goaltender prospect up to the big leagues, but the team remains firm in developing the 22-year-old slowly. He will likely spend 2018-19 in the AHL before pushing into the NHL the following season after Anders Nilsson’s contract expires. Cam Robinson

November 2017 – Demko has been off to a terrific start to his second professional campaign. The 36th overall selection from 2014 was named AHL Goaltender of the Month after posting a 4-1-0 record to go along with a 1.61 GAA and 0.950 SV%. The 21-year-old is a top-flight prospect and is earmarked for the starting gig in Vancouver down the line. Cam Robinson

April 2017 – Demko finished his first professional campaign last week and there were many positives to take away from it. Heading into the final weekend of games, the 21-year-old had rattled off a 13-4 record with a 1.90 goals-against average and a .933 save percentage in his last 17 contests. Unfortunately, he let in nine goals in the final two games, which resulted in Utica missing the playoffs, but Demko flashed the poise and considerable talent that makes him one of the best goaltender prospects in the world. He will play at least another year in the AHL before pushing for a backup job in Vancouver. Cam Robinson

March 2017 – Demko is starting to get the hang of this professional hockey thing. The 21-year-old blue-chip prospect is riding a six-game winning streak in which he’s posted a .960 save percentage and a 1.17 goals-against average. Despite this terrific run, his season-long counting stats are still below par, but that’s just the results of a rookie goaltender finding his way. Expect big things from the talented American goaltender as he is firmly set as the Canucks’ future in net. Cam Robinson

March 2017 – Demko recorded his first professional shutout by making 38 saves on the night – a few even of the spectacular variety. It has been an up and down season for the rookie, but he’s gaining valuable experience and with his size, skill, pedigree and work ethic it should surprise no one when he posts far superior numbers next season. Demko remains a top-flight prospect at his position with the capabilities of being an above-average NHL starter. Cam Robinson

December 2016 – After a bit of a slow start to begin his professional career, Demko has found his sea legs at the AHL-level. In his last nine starts, last year’s Hobey Baker finalist has posted a 7-2-0 record with a .927 save percentage. He even got a chance to be around the big club last week as he was recalled on an emergency basis when Ryan Miller couldn’t go. Demko is the future in the Canucks’ net and has all the tools to become a workhorse starting goaltender. Cam Robinson

October 2016 – Demko will begin his professional career with the Utica Comets this weekend. He will share the crease with veteran, Richard Bachman but head coach, Travis Green is keen to roll out the hot goaltender so if he plays well, he’ll see a lot of game action. The ultra-talented 20-year-old is the future in the Canucks’ crease but is likely still two-plus seasons away from pushing for fantasy relevance. Cam Robinson

April 2016 – Fresh off signing his max-money, entry-level contract with the Vancouver Canucks over the past few weeks, Thatcher Demko has enjoyed quite the season. After breaking the Boston College record for shutouts in a season, previously held by former Vancouver prospect Cory Schneider, the young netminder has looked every bit the blue-chipper expected. Compiling a 1.88 goals-against-average to compliment a sublime .935 save percentage, the San Diego native is the future in goal for the Canucks organization. Expected to assume full-time responsibilities with the Utica Comets of the AHL next season, it wouldn’t be unheard of to see him in a Canucks jersey in a few years time. ~ David McDonald After a torrid run in October and early November which potted him shutouts in six of seven games, Demko has cooled off considerably, allowing three or more goals in all but two of his last seven games. Thanks to that considerable run though, Demko still boasts a goals-against average of just over a goal and a half per game, a save percentage of .941%, and continues to be the goalie of the future in the Canucks organization. With great size and movement to go along with a great head for the position, Thatcher potentially represents something that has been missing for a long time in Vancouver – a homegrown, top-tier starting goaltender. ~ David McDonald

November 2015 – They say you have to be good to be lucky…well…Thatcher Demko is really good. The junior has been absolutely on fire as of late, posting six shutouts in his last seven starts. You read that correctly, six in seven. He has only allowed six goals on the way to an 8-1-0 record with a ridiculous save percentage of .974% and supporting GAA of 0.67. With that kind of numbers, luck is only a small part of it. He was even named the “SportsCenter Star of the Night” for his performance this month (see video below). Demko will turn 20 on December 8th, making him ineligible for the World Junior Championships. So while he may let in a goal every now and then, his focus will be entirely with Boston College all season. Current record holders…look out. Canucks fans and fantasy owners, rejoice! Mike Barrett

March 2015 – After yielding the same numbers (GAA, SV%) as last season through the first 13 (7-6) games this year, Demko has stepped his game up another notch. The 6-3 netminder has often put Boston College on his back, recording an 11-4-3 record since then, and improving his goals-against-average to 2.18, and his save percentage to .926%. The 18-year-old also had a solid WJC showing for the USA over the holidays, flashing his athleticism but also showed signs of an inconsistent young goaltender at times, as his Americans were ousted in the quarter-finals by Russia, officially finishing fifth place. – Mike Barrett

December 2014 – Thatcher Demko entered the season with many new eyes on him, as the most recent second-round pick (36th) of the Vancouver Canucks. While the stats may not indicate it (currently identical to his 2013-14 stat line of 2.24 GAA and .919 save percentage), the Boston College sophomore has steadily improved his all-around play. BC isn’t as strong of a team as they were last season, so Demko’s winning record (7-6) and numbers should be seen in a positive light. Thatcher Demko was named to USA’s preliminary World Junior camp roster and is expected to act as the team’s starter. Michael Barrett

June 2014 – Thatcher Demko was selected by the Vancouver Canucks at 36th overall in the 2nd round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Demko had an impressive rookie campaign with Boston College. He was the second goaltender to be selected in the draft, with Mason McDonald being selected at 34th overall. Demko is an aggressive goaltender that plays a big athletic butterfly style. –Kevin Won

May 2014 –The top-ranked North American goaltender by NHL Central Scouting is Boston College’s, Thatcher Demko. Hailing from sunny California, Demko has quickly become a goaltender to watch with his idealistic size, smooth mobility and flair for stepping up in big games. Playing a butterfly style of game, Demko’s ability to cover the net is as good as they come showing great lateral coverage along the ice. He’s an aggressive goaltender who challenges shooters and relies heavily on sound positioning. After a standout career with the US National Training and Development Program, Demko joined Boston College and was a great serviceman to them posting a 2.24 GAA and a .919 save percentage, impressive statistics for a freshman goaltender. Look for Thatcher Demko to be the first goaltender selected at the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Brendan Ross