A long and arduous road to recovery from a freak left-knee popliteus muscle injury on April 21 has finally arrived for Thatcher Demko
It’s rare to see a back-up goaltender sporting a smile on the bench.
Recommended Videos
They’re usually seated in an awkward corner behind the players, and when the television camera zooms in for a close-up shot, they show a solemn straight-ahead gaze.
His customary serious side that we’ve often seen in the locker room and learned to give him game-day space — his Zen-like devotion to equipment preparation and ensuring mind and body are in sync is of paramount importance — has been replaced by joy.
Laughing with players on the bench. And a smile that speaks to getting back to something you love.
This is what occurs when you suffer an injury that’s not even on the ‘Goalie Bingo’ card — hip, groin, hamstring, foot, ankle, back — and remain grateful.
A long and arduous road to recovery from a freak left-knee popliteus muscle injury on April 21 has finally arrived.
The injury name is as odd as the injury. Demko was jammed up against the post in late stages of Game 1 with the Nashville Predators in opening round of the NHL playoffs. He rehabbed to come back, but never saw the cage again, and even had an off-season setback.
It did put a Vezina Trophy finalist nomination into perspective. His career best numbers — 35 wins, 2.45 goals-against average, .918 saves percentage and five shutouts — were a testament to where his game is at when healthy.
And, knock on wood, now he is.
Demko could have played Sunday, but a matinee can mess up your usual prep for a customary night game. It’s why he’s expected to face the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday night at Rogers Arena.
“He’s ready to go,” said Canucks head coach Tocchet. “We wouldn’t put him in as a back-up if he wasn’t. We kind of had this planned a couple of weeks ago and we’re going to stick with it.
“Demmer has a big voice in this and you come up with a plan and try not to deviate from it. Win or lose you don’t deviate. That’s important.”
And so is Demko’s stature in the room and on the ice. True leadership is doing the tough stuff away from your peers. Early morning therapy and workouts and finally skating in practices.
“He’s a leader of the team,” said Tocchet. “He’s a different type of leader. You know, it’s just him being around. He’s a glue guy. The guy works awfully hard. I mean, he spent a lot of time by himself working out.
“He’s here at 7 a.m. working with one trainer. It’s contagious to me the hard work he does. The young guys see this stuff, how dedicated he is. I see that really helps our locker room.”
And now there’s the hope that the mysterious popliteus muscle at back of the knee will remain strong and stable. Soccer players have suffered the infliction but this is new territory.
“It’s such a rare injury and even more rare in this instance,” said B.C. physician Dr. Harjas Grewal. “I don’t think there’s anything to suggest that it’s more or less likely to be reinjured than any other muscle.
“Most muscles in the leg work to move the knee forward and backward. The popliteus is unique and important in starting flexion of the knee. To get into a butterfly, or any other position, the initial bending of the knee is initiated by the popliteus .
“It essentially unlocks the knee and that’s why it’s called the key to the knee. It’s two main functions are lateral rotation of the femur (thigh bone) and medial rotation of your tibia (shin bone).
“It’s mainly a rotational muscle compared to the quad and hamstring being more forward and back up and down motion. It’s also responsible for stabilizing the knee.”
Good it? Good. Class dismissed. Grab a coffee.
bkuzma@postmedia.com