Thatcher Demko has stuck around Vancouver this offseason as the Canucks’ goaltender recovers from hip surgery, which he underwent in January.

Demko shared a positive update via social media on Wednesday, posting that he was back on the ice for the first time since his surgery.

On Wednesday, Canucks general manager Ryan Johnson met with assembled media at Rogers Arena for a regularly scheduled pre-draft media availability. RJ spoke about a number of topics, most of which will be covered shortly here at CanucksArmy. But one topic Johnson spent a good amount of time on was Demko. First, Johnson was asked if he’s seen Demko around the rink much this offseason.

“Yes. He and I have had plenty of conversations, plenty of sit-downs here in the arena; just small talk,” said Johnson. “I’ve known Thatcher for a long time. He and I were in Utica together when he first started. So we’ve got a long relationship and understanding of who each other are and what’s important to each other.

“It’s been really refreshing to see the work that he’s put in, his headspace. He looks refreshed, excited. When Manny was in here, they had a chance to sit down, and there’s a lot of really good positive energy.”

When asked if Demko would be ready for training camp, Johnson was hesitant to commit to such a timeline.

“I don’t want to put any pressure on him on timelines. He’s doing well. The fact that he’s just taking steps back on the ice is encouraging. You’ve got to give him credit, not just physically, but mentally, what [last] season has been on him through some of these processes. Like I said, his energy, his enthusiasm; he’s got that boyish look in his eyes again, which is exciting. And I think that’s because he’s committed to staying here. He’s put in the work, and now to see these steps finally are coming, I think he feels he’s getting that much closer.”

Demko has gone through a number of injuries throughout his career — he had hip surgery in college as well — but when healthy, has proved he can be a Vezina-calibre goaltender. After showing it in flashes but not necessarily having the numbers to back it up thanks to playing behind some defensively dreadful Canucks teams earlier in his career, Demko put it all together in 2023-24 when the team in front of him improved. Demko finished as the runner-up for the Vezina to Connor Hellebuyck that season. Unfortunately, he suffered a knee injury in the dying moments of the Canucks’ Game 1 victory over the Nashville Predators in round one of the playoffs that season. That knee injury ultimately derailed Demko’s summer, and after returning midway through the 2024-25 season, Demko has gone through multiple IR stints in the time since.

The Canucks and Demko are hoping that this latest hip surgery can help him put his injury issues firmly in the rearview mirror. Only time will tell if that is indeed the case.

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