Thatcher Demko

File:Thatcher Demko (12711565).jpg

Demko began playing ice hockey in San Diego at the age of 4.{{Cite web |title=For Thatcher Demko, path to NHL success has unusual roots |url=https://canucksarmy.com/news/thatcher-demko-path-nhl-success-unusual-roots |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=CanucksArmy |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-12-11 |title=Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko looks to build on first start of the season |url=https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/vancouver-canucks-goalie-thatcher-demko-074022616.html |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=Yahoo Sports |language=en-CA}} In 2010, he moved to Los Angeles to play youth hockey for the LA Junior Kings.{{Cite web |title=How Thatcher Demko Overcame Pain and Tragedy to Become One of Hockey's Top Goalie Prospects |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/pgjy3b/how-thatcher-demko-overcame-pain-and-tragedy-to-become-one-of-hockeys-top-goalie-prospects |access-date=2022-11-20 |website=vice.com|date=December 15, 2015 }} In the 2011–12 season, Demko played with the Omaha Lancers of the United States Hockey League (USHL). He joined the U.S. National Development Team during the 2012–13 season,{{cite web| url = http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/thatcher-demko/ | publisher =Hockey'sFuture.com | title = Thatcher Demko prospect profile | date = May 16, 2014 | accessdate = June 21, 2014}} winning silver medal with the team at the 2012 World U-17 Hockey Challenge.{{cite web | url = http://www2.canada.com/windsor/windsorstar/news/sports/story.html?id=14f16080-a3cb-4f13-8240-3923016b2b90 | title = Backup goalie Demko makes most of chance | publisher =Canada.com | date = July 7, 2012 | accessdate = June 21, 2014 | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140605062054/http://www2.canada.com/windsor/windsorstar/news/sports/story.html?id=14f16080-a3cb-4f13-8240-3923016b2b90 | archivedate = June 5, 2014 | df = mdy-all }}

Demko played for the Boston College Eagles of Hockey East from 2013–2016, serving as the primary starting goaltender for all three seasons. During his college career, he earned an impressive 62–26–10 record, with a .928 save percentage, 2.08 goals allowed average and 13 shutouts. At the time of leaving, he held the school's second best career GAA (2.08), second most wins (62), and third most career shutouts (13). With 10 shutouts in his junior season, he set the school's single-season record and came close to the NCAA record, only second behind Greg Gardner's (Niagara) mark of 12 in 1999–2000.{{Cite web|title=2021-22 Media Guide Guide for Web (PDF)|url=https://bceagles.com/documents/2021/10/8/21_22_Media_Guide_Guide_for_Web.pdf|access-date=2022-01-03|website=Boston College Athletics}}

During his freshman season, he earned a spot on the conference All-Rookie team and won the league's statistical goaltending award for lowest GAA (1.35) in conference play. He also helped the Eagles earn their 5th consecutive title in the prestigious Beanpot tournament played between Boston's elite hockey universities.{{Cite web|title=Thatcher Demko - Men's Hockey|url=https://bceagles.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey/roster/thatcher-demko/161|access-date=2022-01-03|website=Boston College Athletics}} During the postseason, the Eagles reached the Frozen Four but fell to Union in the semi-final.

After the conclusion of his freshman year, Demko was ranked number 1 by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau on their final list of the top draft-eligible North American goaltenders leading into the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.{{cite web| url = http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=712863 | title = Boston College's Thatcher Douglas Demko big favorite as top 2014 NHL Draft-eligible goalie | website =National Hockey League | date = June 21, 2014 | accessdate = June 21, 2014}} He would be picked by the Vancouver Canucks, 36th overall in the 2nd round.

In April 2015, during the offseason following his sophomore year, Demko underwent surgery on both hips at New York City's Hospital for Special Surgery. For almost four years, he had dealt with immense pain from tears in his acetabular labrums, a ring of cartilage at the hips.{{Cite web|date=2015-10-06|title=Defending The Wall: Thatcher Demko's Return From Hip Surgery - The Heights|url=https://magazine.bcheights.com/index.php/2015/thatcher-demko-hip-surgery/|access-date=2021-12-05|website=Magazine}}

In his junior season, Demko shone with a staggering 27–8–4 record, with a 1.88 GAA and .935 save percentage. He helped the Eagles once again reach the Frozen Four, but again fell in the semi-final, this time to Quinnipiac. For his efforts, he was named the recipient of the Mike Richter Award, given to the most outstanding goaltender in NCAA men's ice hockey, and was also a top 3 finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, given to the best overall player in the NCAA. He also earned a number of other accolades, making the AHCA All-American Second Team, the Hockey East First All-Star team, and finally was named Co-Player of the Year by Hockey East, alongside UMass Lowell's goaltender Kevin Boyle{{Cite web|url=http://www.bceagles.com/news/2016/4/8/mens-hockey-demko-claims-mike-richter-award.aspx?path=mhockey|title=Demko Claims Mike Richter Award| website = Boston College|access-date=April 16, 2016}}{{cite web | url = http://millcitysports.com/articles/18993-kevin-boyle-named-hockey-east-co-player-of-the-year | title = Demko, Boyle named Hockey East Co-Players of the Year | publisher = Mill City Sports | date = March 17, 2016 | accessdate = March 17, 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=March 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Forgoing his senior year at Boston College, Demko signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Canucks on April 20, 2016.{{cite web| url = http://canucks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=878951 | title = Canucks sign Thatcher Demko | publisher = Vancouver Canucks | date = April 20, 2016 | accessdate = April 22, 2016}}

The Canucks assigned Demko to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Utica Comets for the 2016–17 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/canucks/news/reduce-roster/c-282337632|title=Canucks Reduce Pre-Season Roster|publisher=Vancouver Canucks |date=October 3, 2016|accessdate=December 10, 2016}} He would record his first win on November 12, 2016, in a 3–2 overtime victory over the Hartford Wolf Pack.{{cite web|url=http://www.uticacomets.com/news/detail/hockey-night-in-utica-attack-the-pack|title=Comets Win!|publisher=Utica Comets |date=November 12, 2016|accessdate=March 5, 2017}} Demko was recalled on December 10, due to Ryan Miller's injury;{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/canucks/news/canucks-recall-demko/c-284564816|title=Canucks recall Demko|publisher=Vancouver Canucks |date=December 10, 2016|accessdate=December 10, 2016}} but was reassigned to the Comets on December 13, without playing a game.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/canucks/news/demko-reassigned/c-284661048|title=Demko Reassigned to Utica|publisher=Vancouver Canucks |date=December 13, 2016|accessdate=March 4, 2017}} On March 4, 2017, Demko earned his first shutout, helping the Comets defeat the Albany Devils by a score of 3–0.{{cite web|url=http://www.uticacomets.com/news/detail/thatcher-demko-helps-comets-to-fourth-consecutive-win|title=Thatcher Demko's shutout gives Comets fourth consecutive win|publisher=Utica Comets |date=March 4, 2017|accessdate=March 5, 2017}}

On March 31, 2018, Demko made his NHL debut for the Canucks, stopping 26 shots en route to a 5–4 overtime victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets.{{cite web|last1=Pofahl|first1=Kaylee|title=Thatcher Demko leads Canucks to overtime win in NHL debut|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/ca/nhl/news/thatcher-demko-nhl-debut-vancouver-canucks-highlights-columbus-blue-jackets-boston-college/g5atx4xf5wle1fy6n4q5uq908|website=sportingnews.com|accessdate=May 3, 2018|date=March 31, 2018}} Demko would spend the rest of the season with the Utica Comets (AHL).

On January 2, 2019, the Canucks announced they had dealt backup goaltender Anders Nilsson to the Ottawa Senators, opening up a full-time backup position for Demko.{{Cite web|title=Nilsson, Archibald traded to Senators by Canucks for McKenna, Pyatt|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/anders-nilsson-darren-archibald-traded-to-ottawa-by-vancouver-for-mike-mckenna-tom-pyatt/c-303472660|access-date=2020-12-10|website=NHL.com}} Demko, who had spent most of the season recovering from a concussion{{Cite web|title=Canucks' Thatcher Demko placed in concussion protocol - Sportsnet.ca|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/canucks-thatcher-demko-placed-concussion-protocol/|access-date=2020-12-10|website=www.sportsnet.ca}} and playing in the AHL, would finish the season on the Canucks roster for the first time.

On April 24, 2019, the Canucks signed Demko to a two-year, $2.1 million contract extension.{{cite web |title=Canucks sign goalie Thatcher Demko to two-year extension |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/canucks-sign-goalie-thatcher-demko-two-year-extension/ |website=Sportsnet.ca |accessdate=April 24, 2019}} In the 2019-20 season that followed, Demko would continue playing the backup for the majority of the regular season, until a serious knee injury sidelined the incumbent Jacob Markstrom for the next month.{{Cite web|title=Canucks' Jacob Markstrom out with knee injury, Demko to start in place - Sportsnet.ca|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/canucks-jacob-markstrom-knee-injury-demko-start-place/|access-date=2020-12-10|website=www.sportsnet.ca}} Beginning on February 25, 2020 against the Montreal Canadiens, Demko would start 7 of the final 8 games of the season, going 3–4–0 and posting a .906 save percentage. His most impressive game in that stretch came on March 10, 2020, a 45-save shootout win over the New York Islanders, which happened to be the last Canucks game before the 2019–20 season was cut short.

On September 1, 2020, Demko would make his first NHL playoff start in relief of the injured Markstrom. With the Canucks facing elimination and down 3–1 in the Western Conference Second Round to the Vegas Golden Knights, Demko allowed just 1 goal on 43 shots in a 2–1 win over Vegas. In doing so, he became the first rookie goaltender since José Théodore in 1997 to win an elimination game in his playoff debut.{{cite tweet |user=snstats |number=1301011718311743488 |date=September 1, 2020 |title=#Canucks Thatcher Demko is the first rookie goalie to win his NHL playoff debut when his team was facing elimination since Jose Theodore of the Canadiens in 1997 |access-date=January 22, 2022}} On September 3, 2020, he made 48 stops and recorded his first career playoff shutout in a 4–0 victory over Vegas, becoming the first rookie goaltender to win his first two career playoff starts while facing elimination since Jacques Plante in 1953.{{Cite web|date=2020-09-04|title=Thatcher Demko's 48-save shutout to force Game 7 was a very rare thing in NHL history|url=https://russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2020/09/04/thatcher-demkos-48-save-shutout-to-force-game-7-was-a-very-rare-thing-in-nhl-history/|access-date=2020-12-10|website=RMNB}} The 48-save shutout in game 6 of the series would set an NHL record for most saves in a playoff shutout by a rookie, as well as the most saves by a goaltender in a game that ended in regulation.{{cite tweet |user=statscentre |number=1301738300898672640 |date=September 3, 2020 |title=Among all goalies since 1955-56, Demko's 48 represent the most saves made by a goalie in a regulation shutout. 4 goalies have had more overall, but all came in 1-0 OT victories. Prior most? 47 by Curtis Joseph for STL in Gm2 of their 1993 Norris Division Semi-Final series vs CHI |access-date=January 22, 2022}} In his first three playoff starts, Demko made 123 stops on 125 shots for a remarkable .984 save percentage, nearly leading the Canucks to a 7 game series upset of the top seeded Golden Knights. Demko was named the first star for all three of the games he played.

File:Kailer Yamamoto and Thatcher Demko.jpg

On March 1, 2021, Demko earned his first career regular season shutout in a 4–0 victory over the Winnipeg Jets.{{Cite web|date=2021-03-02|title=Demko gets first shutout as Canucks beat Jets 4-0|url=https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Demko-gets-first-shutout-as-Canucks-beat-Jets-4-0-15992068.php|access-date=2021-03-03|website=Chron}} The shutout would be the first game in an 8–1–0 run by Demko to start the month of March, in which he posted a .950 save percentage and a 1.74 goals against average. The run would establish Demko's position as the number 1 in Vancouver's crease going forward. On March 31, Demko signed a five-year, $25 million contract extension with the Canucks.{{cite web|date=2021-03-31|title=Canucks sign goalie Thatcher Demko to five-year, $25M extension|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/canucks-sign-goalie-thatcher-demko-five-year-25m-extension/|accessdate=2021-04-01|website=Sportsnet}}

On January 2, 2022, Demko was named the NHL Third Star of the Month for December 2021 after posting a 7–1–0 record, 1.72 goals-against average, and .946 save percentage during the month.{{cite web|date=2022-01-02|title=Matthews, Pacioretty and Demko earn NHL's Three Stars for December|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/matthews-pacioretty-demko-earn-nhls-three-stars-december/|accessdate=2022-01-27|website=Sportsnet}}{{cite web|date=2022-01-02|title=Matthews leads 3 Stars of the Month for December|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-stars-of-the-month-december-2021/c-329408062|accessdate=2022-01-27|website=NHL.com}} On January 13, Demko was named an NHL All-Star for the first time in his career.{{cite web|date=2022-01-13|title=Thatcher Demko Selected to 2022 NHL All-Star Game|url=https://www.nhl.com/canucks/news/thatcher-demko-selected-to-nhl-all-star-game/c-329744052|accessdate=2022-01-27|website=NHL.com}}

Demko was named a Vezina Trophy finalist for the first time in his career for the 2023–24 season.{{cite web |title=Bobrovsky, Demko, Hellebuyck named Vezina Trophy finalists |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/2024-nhl-vezina-trophy-finalists-announced |last=Satriano |first=David |work=NHL.com |access-date=April 29, 2024 |date=April 29, 2024}}

Demko won a silver medal as a member of the U.S. national under-18 team at the 2013 IIHF World U18 Championships.{{cite web | url = http://www.thehockeycenterkc.com/demko-earns-silver-in-iihf-u-18-world-championships/ | title = Demko Earns Silver in IIHF U-18 World Championships | publisher = HockeyCenterkc.com | date = April 1, 2013 | accessdate = June 21, 2014 | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140605062350/http://www.thehockeycenterkc.com/demko-earns-silver-in-iihf-u-18-world-championships/ | archivedate = June 5, 2014 | df = mdy-all }} He also was a member of the U.S. national junior team at the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championship, and was a backup to fellow Hockey East goaltender Jon Gillies of Providence.

The following year, at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship, Demko was the starting goaltender, starting in 7 of 8 games. Despite the team's elimination in the quarterfinals, Demko finished third in the tournament among goaltenders with a 1.74 GAA and .938 save percentage.

Demko would get his first appearance at a senior men's international tournament at the 2019 IIHF World Championship as a backup to Cory Schneider. Demko started in 2 games against Great Britain and France respectively and finished the tournament with a 2–0–0 record.

Demko and his wife Lexie have one child together.{{cite web |last1=Spina |first1=Ellie |title=NHLer Thatcher Demko and wife Lexie share 'first family pic' with newborn son |url=https://ca.style.yahoo.com/nhl-thatcher-demko-wife-lexie-newborn-son-164809757.html |publisher=Yahoo! |access-date=April 23, 2024 |date=October 2, 2023}}

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{{succession box | before = Zane McIntyre | title = Mike Richter Award | years = 2015–16 | after = Tanner Jaillet}}

{{succession box | before = Jack Eichel | title = Hockey East Player of the Year | years = 2015–16 | with = Kevin Boyle | after = Zach Aston-Reese}}

{{succession box | before = Connor Hellebuyck | title = Hockey East Goaltending Champion | years = 2013–14 | after = Jon Gillies}}

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Category:1995 births

Category:Living people

Category:AHCA Division I men's ice hockey All-Americans

Category:American expatriate ice hockey players in Canada

Category:American men's ice hockey goaltenders

Category:Boston College Eagles men's ice hockey players

Category:Ice hockey players from California

Category:Omaha Lancers players

Category:Sportspeople from San Diego

Category:USA Hockey National Team Development Program players

Category:Utica Comets players

Category:Vancouver Canucks draft picks

Category:Vancouver Canucks players

Category:21st-century American sportsmen