Thatcher Demko is back. Back on the ice, that is, and back to playing NHL games, with Tuesday’s overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues being his first action since April 21 of last year.

VANCOUVER — It was a whirlwind day for Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko. Nearly eight months after he was injured in the first game of Vancouver's playoff run, Demko returned to the crease Tuesday for his first start of the season.

Demko, however, fell down injured after playing just one postseason game, and he's been sidelined ever since. This year, the Canucks have leaned heavily on offseason signing Kevin Lankinen in his absence.