Report: BC’s Demko could miss start of regular season

While Boston College might have earned the top spot in both preseason Hockey East polls, the Eagles might be without their star goaltender to start off the new season.

Speaking with WEEI.com’s Scott McLaughlin, Eagles head coach Jerry York noted that junior netminder Thatcher Demko might not be ready for the outset of the 2015-16 campaign.

Jerry York said Thatcher Demko may not be ready for the start of the season. Had surgery on both hips in the offseason.

— Scott McLaughlin (@smclaughlin9) September 21, 2015

During the offseason, Demko — who was selected to the preseason All-Hockey East Team by members of the media — underwent surgical procedures on both of his hips, putting the Vancouver Canucks draft pick’s status in doubt for BC’s opening slate of games in October.

Demko excelled between the pipes last season with BC, posting a 2.19 GAA and .925 save percentage with a 19-13-3 record in 35 games.

Demko is not the only Hockey East goaltender to undergo surgery on both hips this past year, as UConn junior netminder Rob Nichols went through with the same surgery in April and May, according to the Hartford Courant.

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f Demko is forced to miss time, the Eagles will turn to their other two goaltenders in freshman Chris Birdsall and junior Alex Joyce.

Birdsall suited up in 32 games last season with the Youngstown Phantoms of the USHL, finishing fourth in the league in save percentage (.914) and fifth in GAA (2.46).