After his playing career, Demers became a coach and had a successful tenure with the Quebec Nordiques of the World Hockey Association (WHA). He then moved on to coach in the NHL, starting with the Detroit Red Wings in 1986. Demers led the Red Wings to three consecutive playoff appearances and a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1995, where they lost to the New Jersey Devils.
Demers then went on to coach the Montreal Canadiens, where he had his greatest success. He led the Canadiens to the Stanley Cup championship in 1993, becoming the first coach in NHL history to win the Cup with three different teams (he had previously won with the Red Wings and the St. Louis Blues). Demers also won the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's coach of the year in 1987 and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2010.
In addition to his coaching career, Demers has been involved in various charitable and political endeavors. He served as a Canadian senator from 2009 to 2016 and has been an advocate for literacy and mental health awareness. Demers has also been open about his own struggles with dyslexia and depression, using his platform to raise awareness and reduce stigma around these issues.
Overall, Jacques Demers had a successful career in hockey as both a player and coach. He is remembered as a respected and influential figure in the sport, as well as a dedicated advocate for important social causes.
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