Canucks G Thatcher Demko (lower body) placed on IR

Field Level Media|published: Sun 11th January, 15:03 2026

NHL: Vancouver Canucks at Buffalo Sabres

Jan 6, 2026; Buffalo, New York, USA; Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (35) looks for the puck during the second period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko landed on injured reserve Sunday for the second time this season.

Demko sustained a lower-body injury during Vancouver's 5-0 setback to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. He allowed three goals on six shots before departing prior to the start of the second period.

Backup Kevin Lankinen replaced Demko in net for the Canucks, who recalled fellow goaltender Nikita Tolopilo from Abbotsford of the American Hockey League under emergency conditions on Sunday.

Demko, 30, also missed 12 games earlier in the season due to an undisclosed injury.

Signed to a three-year, $25.5 million contract extension in the summer, Demko owns an 8-10-1 record with one shutout, a 2.90 goals-against average and an .897 save percentage in 20 games (all starts) this season.

A Vezina Trophy finalist in 2024, Demko is 134-99-21 with 10 shutouts, a 2.81 GAA and a .909 save percentage in 262 career games (256 starts). The Canucks selected the two-time All-Star in the second round of the 2014 NHL Draft.

--Field Level Media

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