Overview
- Nikita Tolopilo flew home to be with his wife in labour, prompting Vancouver to summon Jiri Patera from AHL Abbotsford, per Rick Dhaliwal.
- The club can open a roster spot for the recall by placing Tolopilo on the non‑roster list, Pro Hockey Rumors reported.
- Kevin Lankinen has returned from a brief personal leave and is expected to handle most starts, with Patera serving as backup until Tolopilo returns or Thatcher Demko is cleared.
- Demko remains out with a groin strain, is designated week-to-week, has not played since Nov. 11, and did not join the current road trip.
- Tolopilo’s emergency stint included two starts facing 65 shots for a .892 save percentage and 1.3 goals saved above expected, while Patera’s lone NHL start this season yielded seven goals on 40 shots; he has a .899 save percentage and 2.89 GAA in six AHL games.