Canucks’ Arturs Silovs expected to make NHL debut in net vs. Rangers

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Arturs Silovs is set to make his National Hockey League debut on Wednesday as the team takes on the New York Rangers.

At the other end of the ice, Silovs will face Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin.

Silovs, 21, was drafted by the organization back in 2019 as the 156th overall pick.

The Latvian spent the 2021-2022 season split between the Abbotsford Canucks in the American Hockey League and the Trois-Rivières Lions of the ECHL.

This season, Silovs has made 35 appearances for Abbotsford, recording a 2.48 goals against average and .906 save percentage. In his last five games, Silovs has allowed just four goals.

The netminder set two Abbotsford franchise records for wins in a season (20) and all-time shutouts (four). Silovs also matched the record for shutouts in a season (three).

He was called up by the team after Spencer Martin cleared waivers and was loaned back to Abbotsford on Tuesday. Silovs will be backed up by Collin Delia against the Rangers.

With Vancouver’s starting goaltender Thatcher Demko expected to return from injury soon, his absence gives Silovs a quick opportunity to get his feet wet in the NHL before likely being sent back to Abbotsford in the coming days.