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)