Canucks' Markstrom ready for NHL: 'Last year wasn't the last year of my career'

Jacob Markstrom's career has been a series of setbacks.

Once considered one of the NHL's most promising young netminders, he failed to live up to that reputation with the Florida Panthers, who traded him to the Vancouver Canucks in a deal to get Roberto Luongo.

Markstrom stumbled in his brief Canucks debut, and found himself third on the team's depth chart after Vancouver signed Ryan Miller in the offseason. The 25-year-old hasn't played an NHL game since, but an injury to Miller means he has a window of opportunity to prove he belongs.

"Both on and off the ice, I'm a year older and I feel a year older," Markstrom told Jason Botchford of The Province, crediting goaltending coaches Rollie Melanson and Dan Cloutier for improving his positioning.

The new and improved Markstrom became one of the best goaltenders in the AHL after he was sent down at the start of the season. He used the demotion as motivation to lead the Utica Comets to the top of the North Division with a 1.95 goals-against average and .932 save percentage.

It was tough when they sent me down. I wanted to be here. I knew my game was in a good spot. I felt great at camp. I felt great at the start of the year in Utica. I decided, 'You've got to be a professional. It's your job. You have to play your ass out.' Sorry for cursing.

Markstrom will split time with Eddie Lack for the Canucks, who risk exposing him to waivers if they keep him beyond the 10-game emergency waiver recall period. Even if Markstrom is eventually sent back to the AHL, he is mature enough to understand there will be more opportunities.

"Obviously, you want to play. I was getting frustrated," Markstrom said. "But at the same time, you have to look (at) the bigger picture. Last year wasn't the last year of my career. I wanted to be better. What Rollie and I did helped me. It helped me a lot."