The Vancouver Canucks will not lose Thatcher Demko like the Nashville Predators lost Jimmy Vesey.
Demko today signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Canucks, making the decision to forego his senior year at Boston College.
Prior to today’s announcement, the worry in Vancouver was that the highly touted, 20-year-old goalie would return to school and become an unrestricted free agent next summer. The Canucks drafted Demko 36th overall in 2014. He was a Hobey Baker finalist this season.
“He’s going through the process of what he wants to do and he knows how we feel,” Vancouver GM Jim Benning told Postmedia earlier this week.
“We’ve been patient and he’s sorting out some things on his side. I would expect that we’ll know more in the next few days. If he decides he’s going to turn pro, he’s a guy we want to develop and we assured him he would have a spot in Utica.”
Before Demko makes his AHL debut next season, he’ll represent the United States at the world championship in Russia.
Max money on Demko's entry level contract. Won't join Utica for AHL playoffs. Will finish school.
— John Shannon (@JShannonhl) April 20, 2016
Related: Demko focused on winning a title with Boston College, will talk with Canucks this summer