The pink paisley shirts will be back for Vancouver Canucks fans next season, as the team announced Tuesday it has agreed to terms with up-and-coming goaltender Artūrs Šilovs on a two-year contract.
“Artūrs helped us out a lot when called upon last year as he continues to grow and develop as a goalie,” said general manager Patrik Allvin. “We expect him to come into training camp and battle for a full-time position with the big club. Our group will continue to work with him to help sharpen his skills and provide him with all the tools necessary to take another step forward in his young career.”
Šilovs came into prominence during the Canucks playoff run after the then third-string goalie was thrust into being a starter when both Thatcher Demko and Casey DeSmith were injured.
The 23-year-old became a crowd and fan favourite, and kept Latvians up all night as his country-mates watched every game. The Baltic country nicknamed him the “Minister of Defence.”
Coach Rick Tocchet had nothing but praise for the “Arty Party” during the team’s playoff run, especially during the series against the Edmonton Oilers.
“The kid’s giving us games. It’s a big stage and he’s not blinking. He’s coming in every day and he’s working hard,” Tocchet said at the time.
That sentiment was echoed by Canucks captain Quinn Hughes.
“He was amazing, and he made some massive saves at the end and just looked so calm and poised and honestly, I can’t say enough about what he’s been for us back there,” the captain said.
During his playoff run, Šilovs went 5-5 with a 2.91 goals against average and an .898 save percentage.
Šilovs was originally selected in 2019 by the Canucks in the sixth round of the NHL Entry Draft, 156th overall.
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