10. G Michael Garteig
Acquired: Free agency, 2016
NHL: 2019-20
Demko was not the only NCAA goalie the Canucks signed this summer, as they also brought in Michael Garteig from Quinnipiac. Garteig was a standout in the 2015-16 season, with a .924 save percentage and a 1.91 goals-against average, as he led his school to an NCAA championship.
Coming into the Canucks organization, however, he will have to start all the way at the bottom again. With Miller and Markstrom in Vancouver and Demko and Bachman in Utica, the organization is set for the 2016-17 campaign. Therefore, Garteig is expected to start the year with the Alaska Aces, Vancouver’s new ECHL affiliate, but might get a chance in Utica as the season progresses.
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According to my timeline presented earlier, a spot in the AHL could open up next season, as Miller is unlikely to be re-signed, and Demko or Bachman could move up to the NHL. In 2018, Demko is expected to move up to the NHL full-time and Bachman’s contract is set to expire, making room for Garteig as the new AHL starter.
Following that season in Utica, Garteig could be ready to play in the NHL. In theory, anyway.