Utica, NY – Vancouver Canucks General Manager Jim Benning announced today that the club has re-assigned goaltender Thatcher Demko to the Utica Comets. In a separate transaction, Utica Comets Director of Hockey Operations Pat Conacher has announced that the club has released goaltender J.P. Anderson from a professional tryout contract (PTO).
Demko, 21, has appeared in 14 games for Utica in his debut season of professional hockey. In these games, Demko has posted a record of 7-5-1 along with a .909 save percentage and 2.59 goals-against average (GAA). Among AHL rookie goaltenders, Demko currently ranks fourth in games played and fifth in wins.
In 2015-16 Demko completed his junior season with Boston College leading the Eagles to the Hockey East regular season championship and a berth in the NCAA Frozen Four, posting a 27-8-4 record including 10 shutouts, a .935 save percentage and a 1.88 goals-against average. The 6-4, 195-pound goaltender was also awarded the 2016 Mike Richter Award as the most outstanding goaltender in NCAA men’s hockey.
A native of San Diego, California, Demko was signed to a three-year entry level contract on April 20, 2016. He was originally selected by Vancouver in the second round, 36th overall, at the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
Anderson, 24, has appeared in six games for the Wheeling Nailers (ECHL) this season posting a record of 4-1-1 along with a 2.16 GAA and a .927 save percentage.
The Toronto, Ontario native dressed in 16 AHL games with the Worcester Sharks in 2014-15. He compiled a record of 6-8-1 with a 2.71 GAA and a .900 save percentage.
