Chad Demers left an indelible mark on the world of hockey, not only as a player but also as a dedicated coach. His journey, marked by resilience and passion for the sport, spanned various levels, from the USHL to the NCAA.
Early Playing Career with the Fargo Force
Demers played for the Force from 2008-2011, serving as captain in his final season.
His leadership qualities were evident early on, setting the stage for his future coaching career.
Transition to Coaching
Demers served in a variety of capacitates in the USHL & NCAA.
Before joining the Fargo Force, Demers made a trip back to his alma mater for the 2021-22 season with the Air Force Academy as their Director of Hockey Operations.
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While working with one of the youngest teams in the nation, Air Force sported an overall record of 16-17-3.
The Falcons earned a first-round bye before sweeping third-seeded Army in the Atlantic Hockey Association quarterfinals.
Demers' drive and determination kept him in the game as Director of Hockey Operations at Air Force and Associate Head Coach for Fargo for the 2022-23 season.
Air Force's Chad Demers on team's sloppy play in 4-3 home win
Associate Head Coach for the Fargo Force (2022-23)
Coach Demers came to Sioux Falls after a successful 2022-23 season in the USHL as the associate head coach of the Fargo Force.
While in Fargo, he helped coach the Force to a record-setting season of 40-14-4-4, and a chance at the Clark Cup.
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“Chad has established himself as one of the top assistant coaches in the USHL,” Raboin said.
Time with Augustana University
The Grafton, N.D. native spent last season behind the bench for Augustana University before his illness forced him to step aside.
Personal Qualities and Impact
"You don't have many friends in life as loyal and trustworthy as Chad. He had courage when it came to coaching.
Our staff spent so many long days and nights together.
We knew what he was going through, but he never complained or felt sorry for himself... Chad is a great example of how to deal with adversity and tough times.
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He truly loved to coach for the right reasons. He cared about the team and especially the players.
"Chad was so much more than a coach for us. He was a brother, a husband, a father. Those are the things that were most important to him. He just cherished his wife and kids.
Demers battled brain cancer for six years before he passed away earlier this week.
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