Thatcher Demko's Journey To 100 Wins
Demko is just the fifth goaltender in franchise history to win 100 games
Photo by Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports - Thatcher Demko's Journey To 100 WinsWith his victory over the New Jersey Devils, Thatcher Demko hit 100 wins for his career. He also became just the fifth goaltender in franchise history to hit the milestone, joining Roberto Luongo, Kirk McLean, Richard Brodeur and Dan Cloutier. Here is a look back on his journey to 100 wins.
Originally drafted 36th overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, Demko debuted for Vancouver on Mar. 31, 2018 against the Columbus Blue Jackets. That night, he would also pick up his first win, stopping 36 of 30 shots in a 5-4 overtime victory. At 22 years, 113 days, he became the seventh youngest goaltender in franchise history to win a game and the youngest to have their first win come via overtime.
Demko would join the Canucks full-time during the 2019-20 season, where he posted a record of 13-10-2. His shining moment, though, came during the playoffs when "Bubble Demko" took over. After Jacob Markstrom suffered an injury during their second-round series against the Vegas Golden Knights, Demko was thrust into action and put on the performance of a lifetime. He went 2-1 in three games while stopping 123 of 125 shots. Even though the Canucks fell in Game 7, he destroyed the confidence of the Golden Knights as they would later lose to the Dallas Stars 4-1 in the Conference Final.
After his performance in the 2020 playoffs, Demko would become Vancouver's full-time starter in 2020-21. He recorded his first 30-win season in 2021-22 and has posted a save percentage of .915 in two of the last three seasons. On pace to set new career highs in wins, save percentage and goals against average this season, it is very possible Demko will find himself in third place on the Canucks all-time wins list by the end of the season.
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