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Report: Ex-Lightning coach Demers has second stroke

 
Published Oct. 23, 2016

Former Lightning coach Jacques Demers was hospitalized in Montreal after suffering a second stroke this year, media reports said Saturday. No details were available.

Demers, 72, also had a stroke in April. His recovery had progressed to the point that he was able to take part in a ceremony Tuesday for the Canadiens' home opener at the Bell Centre. Demers, who coached the Canadiens to their most recent Stanley Cup in 1993, was in a wheelchair; he handed a ceremonial torch to captain Max Pacioretty.

Demers coached the Lightning from 1997-99 and also coached Montreal, Quebec, Detroit and St. Louis in his 20-year NHL career. He was named to Canada's Senate in 2009 by then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper and sits as an Independent.