The men’s college hockey season will kick off Friday night, but it will be a bittersweet opening, especially in Colorado Springs when the Air Force Falcons take the ice against Arizona State at Cadet Ice Arena.

Chad Demers, a standout hockey player at the Air Force Academy from 2011-15, passed away Thursday after a battle with cancer. He was 33 years old.

After his playing career, Demers served in the Air Force. He was medically discharged in 2018, after being diagnosed with brain cancer. Shortly after, he began a coaching career that saw him serve in multiple capacities.

Demers spent time with the Fargo Force, the USHL team he spent three seasons with as a player including one as the team’s captain in 2010-11. He did another stint at the Academy as their Director of Hockey Operations before returning to Fargo as the Associate Head Coach in 2022-23. 

It’s with great sadness that we mourn the loss of former Fargo Force player and coach, Chad Demers.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Demers Family during this incredibly difficult time.🤍🖤 pic.twitter.com/AWWXuKKJmJ

— Fargo Force (@FargoForce) October 4, 2024

Last season, Demers was behind the bench for the inaugural season of Augustana hockey as the team’s assistant coach. He was due back behind the bench this year, but his illness had taken a turn for the worse.

The Grafton, N.D., native fought a valiant battle against cancer for six years. He was known around the rinks for always having a smile on his face under the cap he often wore on the bench.

 “Chad touched the lives of all who knew him, with his kindness, his love for sports, and his genuine ability to make others feel special,” per Demers’s obituary. “He was always up for a call to catch up or a trip to explore new places. His memory will forever remind us that the greatest achievements in life are the strong connections we share with others. He will be deeply missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him.”

Beloved in all of his stops along the way in his hockey career, the Fargo Force had recently held a "Rally For Demmy" that saw the team raise more than $66,000 for the Demers family.

We are excited to announce that Saturday’s ‘Rally 4 Demmy’ night raised $66,857 for Chad & the Demers Family!

Thank you so much for your support Force Nation, there’s no family like the Force Family!🖤

READ MORE➡️ https://t.co/NXZmdQJJpw pic.twitter.com/AobfuxSvuQ

— Fargo Force (@FargoForce) September 30, 2024

Demers is survived by his wife Danika and three young children, in addition to his parents and two brothers, and their families.

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