Chad Demers “led from the front” as Air Force Hockey coach Frank Serratore likes to say.
Now the former Falcons captain, who is 27, and his family could use some help from the troops.
Demers, a rock in the program from 2011-15, was diagnosed with brain cancer after a brain tumor removed during emergency surgery on Sept. 7 was found to be cancerous.
The initial support has been outstanding, with more than $102,000 raised (as of mid-day Monday) to help offset the financial burdens his young family is faced with. A gofundme page has been set up to help Chad, his wife Danika and their infant son Beau. Click here to learn more about his condition and to donate.
Chad Demers stands tied for 24th on the Falcons’ all-time scoring list. Photo courtesy of Paat Kelly and Air Force Athletics.
The news, became more widely know last week, hit the Falcons program like a ton of bricks.
“It hit me hard, as it did anyone who knows Demmy,” Serratore said. “When you look at the top players in our program, he’s one of them.”
Demers, a 1st Lieutenant who is stationed in Grand Forks, N.D., captained the Falcons during his senior season (2014-15) and finished his Falcons career with 126 points, tied for 24th on the program’s all-time scoring list with current assistant coach Joe Doyle.
Demers won the Jim Bowman Award (scholar-athlete) in 2015, when he was a finalist for the Senior CLASS award. He also was a two-time Academic All-Atlantic Hockey selection.
“His greatest strength is he didn’t have a weakness,” Serratore said. “He played in every situation – you’re down one late in a game, he’s out there; you’re protecting a lead late, he’s out there.”
Demers had coached youth hockey in Los Angeles during his three years stationed there after he graduated. It is a path he wants to continue.
“He’s going to be a coach, and a good one,” Serratore said. “He always thought the game at a different level. His hockey sense was off the charts.”
Demers, who played junior hockey for the Fargo Force of the United States Hockey League, was on track to help coach the Force as time allowed this season before he was taken ill.
“He’s what we look for at Air Force,” Serratore said. “Sometimes guys like Demmy get overlooked because they don’t have the glamour, but he is pure substance.”
And that is among the many attributes that can help Demers, a respected and beloved husband, father and teammate, topple his current opponent.
To donate to help the Demers family, please click here.
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