Former NCAA star Chad Demers passes away from brain cancer at the age of 33
Sad news has been reported today as former NCAA star and NCAA coach Chad Demers has passed away after a battle with brain cancer.
The hockey world has once again come together to mourn the loss of a member of the game. Recently it was announced that former Air Force star Chad Demers has passed away at 33 years old after a 6-year battle with cancer.
After spending his college career at Air Force Chad Demers took the leap into the coaching world. He began coaching with his former USHL team the Fargo Force. After 4 seasons with Fargo Chad Demers was given an opportunity to return to college hockey with Augustana University a new Division I program. The 2024-25 season was set to be his second season with the team.
After his passing Augustana University head coach Garrett Raboin made a statement regarding the program's profound loss and sadness.
Chad was so much more than a coach for us, Augustana head coach Garrett Raboin said. 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. That's what makes this so hard.
He is remembered by his friends and family as a kind compassionate soul who was always dedicated to perfecting his craft even as he began battling against brain cancer.
Chad was one of my best friends for over 30 years, childhood friend Kody Stark said. Through all of his struggles the past six years, he still always asked me how I was doing, how my family was. It was never about him. Everything was for the people he loved. You won't find one teammate, player he coached - or coach he coached with - that wouldn't say he was the smartest hockey mind in the room, even with his illness. He was the greatest Spoiler of all-time. I'll remember him always
Our thoughts go out to Chad Demers' friends, family, teammates, and colleagues as they deal with this profound loss.
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