On Friday morning, the Vancouver Canucks made a surprising roster decision. Before the practice at Rogers Arena, they recalled goaltender Jiri Patera from AHL Abbotsford under emergency conditions.
This move sparked questions about the condition of Thatcher Demko, the Canucks’ All-Star goaltender, who has faced numerous injuries during his career.
“He’s doing what we asked him to do,”
Adam Foote, speaking about Demko’s absence, clarified that the goaltender was following the team's instructions regarding his recovery and readiness.
Thatcher Demko has consistently dealt with physical setbacks, impacting his availability and performance for the Canucks.
The Canucks are managing their goaltender situation carefully to ensure competitiveness while safeguarding Demko’s health.
“We’re making decisions to support our players and the team’s success,”
Foote added, emphasizing a balanced approach to player health and team readiness.
Summary: Adam Foote confirmed Thatcher Demko is following the team’s recovery plan, leading to an emergency recall of Jiri Patera as the Canucks safeguard their goaltending depth amid injury concerns.