Rick Tocchet Confirms What Fans Hoped About Canucks Goalie Nikita Tolopilo
Photo credit: NHL
Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet announced some big news on Monday for rookie goaltender Nikita Tolopilo ahead of tonight's game against the San Jose Sharks.
Rick Tocchet and the Vancouver Canucks are getting very close to wrapping up the 2024-25 season, which has been a tough one for the organization for a number of different reasons including injuries.
With Thatcher Demko's season officially over, as announced yesterday by Tocchet, the organization has turned to Belarusian Nikita Tolopilo to form a tandem with Kevin Lankinen for the final two games of the year.
Rick Tocchet announces Nikita Tolopilo as tonight's starting netminder
The Canucks hit the ice at Rogers Arena for their morning skate on Monday, with Nikita Tolopilo in the starters net as things got underway, according to Jeff Paterson of Rink Wide: Vancouver.
"Nikita Tolopilo going through starter's drills ahead of #NHL debut" Paterson said on X.
After the morning skate, Rick Tocchet met with reporters where he shared that Nikita Tolopilo will get the start in net tonight against San Jose - which will be his National Hockey League debut.
But Tolopilo won't be the only person making their National Hockey League debut tonight for the Vancouver Canucks as Tocchet also confirmed that defenseman Kirill Kudryavtsev will draw into the lineup after being called up earlier today.
"Nikita Tolopilo starts.
Kirill Kudryavtsev is in the lineup.
Double debut tonight at Rogers Arena." Canucks Insider said on X.
Kirill Kudryavtsev is in the lineup.
Double debut tonight at Rogers Arena." Canucks Insider said on X.
Tolopilo, a native of Minsk, Belarus, has had a pretty good season in the American Hockey League with Abbotsford, appearing in 34 games where he has a record of 18-14-2, along with a 2.68 goals against average, a .901 save percentage and four shutouts.
Fans in the Vancouver region can tune into tonight's game to see the NHL debuts of Nikita Tolopilo and Kirill Kudryavtsev starting at 7 pm PT on Sportsnet Pacific.
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