Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko has been named the NHL’s Second Star of the Week for the first week of February.
Wall of a week for DEMK🚫
Thatcher Demko is this week's @NHL Second Star! #AllTogetherAllIn pic.twitter.com/DXsVh7utuL
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) February 10, 2025
Brandon Hagel (Tampa Bay Lightning) earned First Star honours, while Matthew Tkachuk (Florida Panthers) was awarded the Third Star.
The Canucks’ backstop played a key role in victories over the San Jose Sharks and Colorado Avalanche. Demko posted stellar numbers in those games, recording one shutout, a .983% save percentage and 0.50 goals against average.
While this is an exciting achievement for Demko, Canucks fans find themselves in a state of uncertainty after the star goaltender left Saturday’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs midway through the first period with what appeared to be a lower-body injury. Demko was on his way to another strong game after stopping all six shots he faced before exiting.
Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet did not have a clear update on his goaltender after the game: “I don’t think it’s that serious – I don’t know – from early reports. It’s not the knee, so we don’t have to have you guys speculate. I don’t know, I don’t think it’s that serious, but we’ll see.”
Looks like Thatcher Demko tweaked something during warmups tonight.
🎥: Sportsnet | NHL#Canucks #LeafsForever https://t.co/5ZCj7lTuFP pic.twitter.com/mCqttRAZO7
— CanucksArmy (@CanucksArmy) February 9, 2025
The timing of the injury is unfortunate for Demko, who was just beginning to show flashes of his Vezina-caliber form, which earned him Second Star recognition. After returning from a nagging knee injury that sidelined him at the end of the 2024 season, Demko struggled in his first 14 games, posting a .873% save percentage and a 4-6-3 record as the starter.
Demko’s strong start to February coincided with the Canucks’ latest resurgence, as they ride a three-game win streak and a four-game point streak –all without captain Quinn Hughes.
Vancouver currently holds a three-point lead over the Calgary Flames for the second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. There is no further update on Demko and his availability for after the 4 Nations Face-off for the remaining 30 Vancouver Canucks games as they push toward the playoffs.