Boston College junior goaltender Thatcher Demko has reportedly signed a three year entry-level contract by the Vancouver Canucks. TSN Hockey Analyst Bob McKenzie broke the news.
UPDATE: As per @TSNBobMcKenzie, G Thatcher Demko to sign ELC with Vancouver Canucks this afternoon. #TSNHockey pic.twitter.com/6awYg8pweZ
— SportsCentre (@SportsCentre) April 20, 2016
Demko was drafted by the Canucks with the 36th overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. In 98 career games played for Boston College, Demko posted an overall win-loss-tie record of 62-26-10. In over 5,900 career minutes played, Demko posted a goals against average of 2.08 and a save percentage of .928. This past season, Demko was named the winner of the Mike Richter Award, awarded annually to the most outstanding goaltender in NCAA men’s ice hockey. He was also one of the final three finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, awarded annually to the best player in NCAA men’s ice hockey, and was named Hockey East Co-Player of the year alongside Umass Lowell goaltender Kevin Boyle. In 39 games played during his junior season, Demko posted a 27-8-4 record and posted a goals against average of 1.88 and a had a save percentage of .935 to help lead Boston College to the Frozen Four in Tampa Bay, where the Eagles lost 3-2 in the semifinals to Quinnipiac.
Before enrolling in Boston College, Demko spent the 2012-13 season playing for the U.S. National Developmental Team in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he posted a 15-3-0 record in 19 games played and had goals against average of 2.21 and a save percentage of .902. He spent the previous season with the Omaha Lancers of the USHL, where he posted a 9-3-0 record in 15 games played and had goals against average of 2.87 and a save percentage of .899.
Internationally, Demko has helped the United States win silver medals at both the 2012 World U-17 Hockey Challenge and the 2013 IIHF World U18 Championships. Demko also played for the United States in the 2014 and 2015 IIHF World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, and served as the team’s starting goalie in 2015. Demko was recently named to the roster of the United States for next month’s IIHF World Championship in Russia.
Listed at 6’4”, 195-pounds, Demko has ideal pro size and utilizes the butterfly method. He is quick at moving from side-to-side and is not afraid to challenge shooters by moving out of the net. He doesn’t give up many rebounds and is good at using his stick to poke the puck away. Demko was the top ranked North American goaltender in the Central Scouting final rankings for the 2014 NHL Draft and is considered a possible future starting goaltender for the Canucks.
