NHL issues a statement regarding Casey DeSmith

DeSmith has been holding the fort for the Canucks ever since it was announced that Thatcher Demko would be sidelined. DeSmith's tremendous work has now been acknowledged by the NHL; they've just issued a statement in his regard.

Casey DeSmith has been honoured by the NHL, as he has been named the league's Top Goaltender of the Week. He sported a perfect 3-0 record, a stellar 1.67 GAA and a .914 save percentage.

DeSmith, 32, has been relatively pedestrian as a backup to Thatcher Demko this season, possessing a 2.73 GAA and a .897 save percentage with an 11-6-6 record. The Rochester native has been tasked with starting in Demko's absence as the Vezina Trophy hopeful recovers from injury.

Despite a disappointing 3-2 loss at the hands of the division rival Los Angeles Kings, DeSmith and the Canucks head into Thursday night's clash with the Dallas Stars sporting a 7-2-1 record in their last 10 games.


The team is tied for first in the NHL with the New York Rangers (98 points) — though the Rangers hold a game in hand. They sit a full 10 points ahead of the second-place Edmonton Oilers in the Pacific Division.