Mikheyev has 'no complaints' about Canucks' handling of season-ending ACL injury

Vancouver Canucks forward Ilya Mikheyev needs ACL surgery and has been shut down for the remainder of the season, general manager Patrik Allvin announced Friday, according to Sportsnet's Iain MacIntyre

Mikheyev, 28, sustained the injury in the preseason and missed the Canucks' first three games of the campaign.

He put up 13 goals - including one tally during Friday's 5-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets - and 15 assists in 46 games while averaging almost 17 minutes of ice during his first campaign with the Canucks.

Allvin added the surgery was always going to be necessary and that the winger worked with medical staff. The team is shelving him now with training camp eight months away.

Mikheyev further explained the situation Saturday, saying the decision to keep playing was his and that he felt no pressure from the Canucks.

"When I was injured in the preseason, I went through several tests and realized I could play without causing any more damage," he tweeted. "That's what I wanted to do."

He added, "If I continued to play (beyond this point), I wouldn't be ready for training camp. I appreciate everyone's concern, but I have no complaints with the way this was handled."

Mikheyev signed a four-year, $19-million deal with Vancouver as an unrestricted free agent in July.

Allvin also announced that goaltender Thatcher Demko's timeline is still foggy, but he might be able to return in three weeks, per Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. Demko hasn't played since Dec. 1 due to a lower-body injury.

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