Canucks confirm the worst for star goalie Thatcher Demko

The Vancouver Canucks have confirmed that goaltender Thatcher Demko will miss the rest of the 2025-26 season as he recovers from hip surgery.

“After consulting with our team doctors and outside specialists, Thatcher Demko will be shut down for the rest of the year,” general manager Patrick Allvin said in a statement released by the team. “Thatcher will undergo surgery next week for an injury unrelated to the one that kept him out of action last season. Following his rehab, he will be ready for the start of training camp in September.”

Canucks insider Rick Dhaliwal reports that Demko is looking at a 4-6 month recovery. This ensure he should be healthy for the start of the 2026-27 season.

Demko has appeared in just 20 games season, posting an 8-10-1 record with a 2.90 goals-against average, a .897 save percentage, and one shutout. He managed just 23 games last season and signed a three year, $25.5 million contract with the team this past offseason that doesn't begin until the 2026-27 campaign.

When healthy Demko is one of the best goaltenders in the NHL and was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's top goaltender in 2024. The problem is... well... he can't stay healthy.

This will be Demko's third hip surgery and the fourth major surgery of his career. At some point you have to wonder what's in store for his NHL future.