Notably absent on Tuesday, when the Canadian’s last Stanley Cup win was honored, was Jacques Demers, the 1993 champion’s head coach, who was unable to attend due to health reasons.
That evening, returning from the Serge Savard Invitational, the proceeds of which were donated to the Serge Savard Fund (which helps University of Sherbrooke vert et or student athletes), I held in my hands a picture of Jacques holding the Stanley Cup. I remembered the good times I had with him.
Jacques liked to tell this story: when he was coach of the Nordiques. He was about to give his pre-game motivational speech in the players’ locker room. I sat between the players who prevented me from leaving the dressing room.
Suddenly Jacques saw me, stopped and just left the room smiling and wondering what was going on.
The speech was certainly motivating for the Nordiques because they won the game.
Lately I’ve been thinking about our recent encounter. He was in his wheelchair. He smiled when I told him about his career as a Labor League hockey player. He clenched his fist to remind me that he was a player who wasn’t afraid to throw down his gloves to defend one of his teammates.
He’s fine
A heatwave prevented me from seeing Jacques in July as visitor numbers were limited.
I was joined by his wife, Debbie, who told me that Jacques was fine. However, like you, I was wondering who could tell us about Jacques. Who besides his brother Michel Demers?
Michel accepted, not without first speaking to his brother Jacques.
He wanted to make a clear remark to everyone: Jacques is fine and he recognizes his people. With these few short and precise words he wanted to reassure people about Jacques’ state of health.
Michel further explained to me that his brother had lost his ability to speak, but he communicated with people with a warm and enthusiastic “Hello”.
On the big screen?
There are several films that touch the life of the sports world.
According to the Canadian, Jacques Demers was not good enough to coach Canada’s juniors, even though he did succeed with the Châteauguay youth formation.
He could neither write nor read. But he won a Stanley Cup, served as general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning, became a senator, and lived by his words…which he no longer needs.
Jacques Demers, a man who has always overcome adversity, is a very moving subject for a film.
Wouldn’t it be interesting to see the life of this generous man who shaped the history of the sport on the big screen?
A great project for Denys Arcand, Luc Dionne, Luc Picard or Richard Goudreau?
“His eyes shine” when the Canadian plays a good game
Guy Carbonneau, Jacques Demers and Patrick Roy were elated after eliminating the New York Islanders, earning them a place in the 1993 Stanley Cup Finals. Archive photo
I can’t help but ask how he reacted to the death of Guy Lafleur.
“NO, NO,” he kept repeating to me. He was so sad but unfortunately too tired to attend his funeral. However, Jacques was so happy when Guy visited him.
Demers notably had the privilege of directing Guy Lafleur during an alumni game.
He had two strokes.
The first time my sister and Debbie, Jacques’ wife, were on vacation in Florida. After many attempts by Debbie to reach the neighbor by phone, he went to the family home. He found Jacques in his pajamas and thought he had died.
They don’t answer many calls.
I was having dinner with my wife and didn’t want to be disturbed. However, when I heard the many messages from my sister telling me that Jacques had been hospitalized, I regretted not having responded more quickly.
There was a security guard at his bedroom door.
The nurses kept being harassed so they could take pictures of him in bed because he was awake. We had to move him to a different room every two days.
He returned home.
His wife Debbie bought Jacques an adapted condo. They went to restaurants with friends or with my wife and I. Jacques had difficulty walking and could no longer speak.
The second time you heard the news from Mario Leclerc.
Mario Leclerc, the former journalist for the Journal de Montréal who wrote my brother’s biography, got me on the phone and said that the Urgences-Santé ambulance had taken Jacques to the hospital.
How is he today?
The second stroke prevents him from walking and he is paralyzed on the right side, both in the arm and the hand.
Does he communicate with his friends?
His eyes sparkle as he says hello to us with his smile that pierces our hearts. “Have you seen the Canadian game? » When the Canadian played a good game, he cheerfully answered me: “YES!” YES !! “.
After the Canadian’s defeat?
He has a habit of grumbling and shaking his head at the same time. From his reaction, it’s clear he still has the Canadian tattooed on his heart.
Is Jacques reliving the 30th anniversary of the last Stanley Cup conquest?
I would rather say the 25th anniversary of the conquest. I point to a photo of a player: “OH MY GOD YES! “.
is he sad
Sometimes he nods his head at me that he is sad. His moments are difficult because I see my brother, who was so dynamic, sad.
Is he occasionally shocked?
And how ! Especially when he’s trying to express himself but can’t get the words right. In these moments we help him to complete his thought by adding words.
How do you share your everyday life?
We look at the photos of our travels and our children. We show him pictures and tell him about our travels with him. He laughs and replies with “WOW! “.
is he going home
During the weekdays he drives around the area where he lives in a wheelchair. At noon he goes to the cafeteria. On Sundays he drives home with adapted means of transport. He is happy in his own world.
Will he see the Canadiens?
Réjean Houle regularly invites him to a game. He’s been too tired to walk lately.
what message do you want pass on to supporters?
Anyone who does not know Jacques’ state of health and sees him well dressed sitting on a chair believes that he is perfectly healthy. There are no problems with head health. He can communicate and he recognizes his world. Let’s remember his beautiful smile as he lifted the Stanley Cup.
Thank you Debbie!
I have to admit that Jacques’ smile is brighter when he sees his wife Debbie. I want to thank Debbie because her tremendous help allows Jacques to have a better quality of life.
