The Vancouver Canucks are finally getting some good news on the goalie front.
Just over a week after it was first reported that Thatcher Demko suffered a setback in his rehab and may not be ready for the pre-season, the star goaltender is back to skating, Sportsnet can confirm.
CHEK’s Rick Dhaliwal was the first to report the news.
Dhaliwal also reported that while this may not change his status for training camp and the pre-season, it’s a sign of major progress for the 28-year-old netminder, who has spent the entire off-season rehabbing from a knee injury.
Demko 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 remainder of their post-season run.
Though the team was eliminated in the second round in seven games, Demko told reporters in his exit interview that he “probably” would have been available to suit up for any Western Conference Final games, had the team advanced.
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.
He has dealt with a swath of lower-body injuries throughout his seven-year career, including a groin injury in the 2022-23 season that caused him to miss 35 games.
The Canucks’ training camp will be held in Penticton, B.C., from Sep. 19-22. Their pre-season begins on Sep. 24 when they host the Seattle Kraken.