The Vancouver Canucks' top goaltender is set to return.
Thatcher Demko has been activated from the injured reserve, Canucks general manager Patrick Allvin announced on Thursday.
Demko will start for them on Thursday night when they host the Buffalo Sabres at Rogers Arena (10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+).
The two-time all-star hasn't played since Nov. 11 when he exited a game against the Winnipeg Jets with a lower-body injury.
The 30-year-old netminder has a 2.80 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage in 10 games for the Canucks this season. With Demko out, Kevin Lankinen has handled the majority of the goaltending duties for Vancouver.
Demko also missed much of last season with a knee injury, playing just 23 games and posting a 10-8-3 record with a .889 save percentage and a 2.90 goals-against average.
While Lankinen was serviceable with a 2.62 goals against average and .902 save percentage during Demko's absence last season, he's struggled in 2025-26, recording a 3.49 goals against average and .878 save percentage over 17 games played.
