San Diego native, former California youth hockey standout Demko named NHL Third Star for month of December
The NHL has announced that Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko has been named the Third Star for the month of December.
Demko went 7-1-0 with a 1.72 goals-against average, .946 save percentage and one shutout to help the Canucks (16-15-3, 35 points) post an 8-1-1 December, including a record-tying 7-0-0 start under new head coach Bruce Boudreau.
Demko yielded two or fewer goals in six of his eight starts, highlighted by his second career shutout Dec. 6 vs. Los Angeles (31 SV). He also made at least 30 saves five times, including a season-high 40 stops Dec. 4 vs. Pittsburgh.
The 26-year-old San Diego native – who, aided by an active seven-game winning streak (Dec. 6 – Jan. 1), is tied for fifth in the NHL with 15 victories this season – has compiled a 15-11-1 record, 2.55 goals-against average, .920 save percentage and one shutout through 27 total outings in 2021-22.
During his youth hockey career, Denko played for the San Diego Ice Cubes, San Diego Rangers, SDIA Attack, San Diego Jr. Gulls and Los Angeles Jr. Kings.
Photo/Lindsay Mogle/Utica Comets
(January 3, 2022)