Saturday is a big day for the Vancouver Canucks and Thatcher Demko.

The goaltending prospect is starting against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday afternoon, appearing in an NHL game for the first time in his career.

The 22-year-old netminder was recalled under emergency conditions Friday because Anders Nilsson was ill.

Demko has a .921 save percentage in 42 games for the AHL's Utica Comets this season after struggling in his first go-around with the Canucks affiliate in 2016-17.

Vancouver drafted him 36th overall in 2014.

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