Vancouver Canucks recall Arturs Silovs from AHL under emergency conditions

The Vancouver Canucks have recalled goaltender Arturs Silovs from the American Hockey League under emergency conditions, the club announced Monday morning.

Silovs, 21, has a 21–10–4 record and a .903 save percentage in 36 AHL games with the Abbotsford Canucks this season. He’ll most likely sit on the bench against the Nashville Predators on Monday while regular backup Collin Delia recovers from a non-COVID illness.

According to Daily Faceoff‘s starting goaltenders tool, Thatcher Demko is expected to get the start on Monday, although it has yet to be confirmed.

The Canucks originally selected Silovs in the sixth round (No. 156 overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft. The Riga, Latvia product has appeared in four NHL games with the Canucks this season, posting a 2–2–0 record and a .908 save percentage.

With exactly 20 games remaining in their 2022–23 regular season, it’s more than safe to say the Canucks will miss the playoffs yet again. They currently rank sixth in the Pacific Division with a 25–32–5 record and 55 points in 62 games and are just nine points up on the Columbus Blue Jackets for last place in the league.

One silver lining: Thatcher Demko has been pretty darn good since returning from injury against the Dallas Stars on Feb. 27, going 2–1–0 with a .937 save percentage in three games. It’s looking like the Canucks might just be able to run with a successful tandem of Demko and Silovs in the 2023–24 regular season.

You’ll be able to watch tonight’s game between the Canucks and Predators on Sportsnet Pacific at 7:30 p.m. PT in the Canucks broadcast region.