Canucks' Thatcher Demko to miss start of training camp, Teddy Blueger a week away

The big name absent from the first day of Canucks training camp should come as no surprise.

Vancouver goaltender Thatcher Demko will miss the team's first day of training camp, general manager Patrik Allvin confirmed on Wednesday.

Allvin added that Demko would speak to the media on Thursday to fully address his status moving forward.

"He wanted to get in front of you guys tomorrow and clear where he is," Allvin said when asked about Demko's timeline and status. "He's been making progress. He's been in, working extremely hard and he seems to be in a great mindset."

Earlier in the off-season, it was reported that Demko wouldn't be ready for training camp and pre-season after suffering a setback while rehabbing a knee injury. However, just over a week later, CHEK's Rick Dhaliwal reported and Sportsnet confirmed that the goaltender had returned to skating.

The 28-year-old first suffered the injury in March and was sidelined for 14 games. He returned in time to finish out the regular season but was injured in the Canucks' first playoff game and missed the remainder of their post-season run.

Demko was a Vezina Trophy finalist for the first time this past season. In 51 regular-season starts, the San Diego, Calif., native posted career-bests in save percentage (.918) and goals-against average (2.45) for a 35-14 record.

Allvin also provided updates on centre Teddy Blueger and AHL defenceman Cole McWard, both of whom missed the first day of training camp with lower body injuries. Additionally, defenceman Tucker Poolman will be out the entire year after missing all of the 2023-24 season with neurological complications from migraines.

Blueger, 30, underwent a minor off-season surgery on his lower body and according to Allvin, is about a week away from returning to the team. The Riga, Latvia, native finished with six points and a career-high 28 points last season in 68 games. He also chipped in two assists in 13 playoff games.

McWard, 23, also underwent a minor off-season surgery on his lower body and is considered week-to-week moving forward. The Fenton, Mo., native finished with four goals and 13 assists last season in 57 games with AHL Abbotsford. He has made six appearances at the NHL level over two seasons and has one goal.

Poolman, 31, hasn't suited up for a game since the 2022-23 season, with his last appearance coming on Oct. 18, 2022 against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He played only three games that season.

The Dubuque, Iowa, native signed a four-year deal with the Canucks back in 2021 after spending four seasons with the Winnipeg Jets, who drafted the defenceman in the fifth round of the 2013 NHL Draft.