Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko has been named the NHL’s Second Star of the Week for the first week of February. 
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.”
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.