Jacques Demers, the former NHL coach who named Steve Yzerman captain of the Detroit Red Wings back in 1986, will require a third surgery after a botched hernia procedure nearly cost him his life.
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Demers initially had surgery on June 29, but a doctor's mistake nearly killed the 66-year-old:
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↵"Accidentally, through human error, the doctor apparently cut a piece of plumbing -- of the intestine -- and it apparently spread through my body," Demers earlier told RDS, the French-language sports network where he worked as a hockey analyst.
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With toxins flooding his body, Demers was forced to undergo a second operation.
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Demers assumed command of the Red Wings in 1986, and one of his first moves was naming Yzerman, now the GM of the Tampa Bay Lightning, captain of the team. Yzerman would play 20 more seasons before retiring as the longest-serving captain in the history of major North American professional sports.
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Demers won 137 games in four seasons with Detroit and made the playoffs three times. His last season cost him his job however, as he won only 28 games and missed the postseason. Demers was fired and the Red Wings made the playoffs the next season and haven't missed since.
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Demers went on to lead the Montreal Canadiens to the 1993 Stanley Cup, the storied franchise's most recent win.
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