Tony Demers

Antonio "Tony" Demers (July 22, 1917 – September 3, 1997) was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played 83 games in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers. He was born in Chambly, Quebec.

He played junior hockey for the Montreal Lafontaine Bleus in 1935-36 and then went to Great Britain to play a season for the Southampton Vikings.

Demers then returned to North America in 1937 and started out with the New Haven Eagles and was called up to the Montreal Canadiens for six games. He finished off the season with the senior Lachine Rapides and also played there in 1938-39. In 1939-40 Demers split the season between the Canadiens and the senior Valleyfield Braves.

In 1940-41 he finally got in a full season with the Canadiens, scoring 13 goals and 10 assists in 41 games. But he split the next two seasons between the Canadiens and senior teams.

In 1943-44 he was loaned to the New York Rangers as part of the Phil Watson deal. He only played one game for the Rangers after playing 25 games for the Providence Reds. Demers did not like the atmosphere in New York City and deserted the team, returning to Montreal.

From 1944 to 1949 he played for various senior teams in Quebec.

In 1949 he was convicted of manslaughter and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Demers was paroled after 6 years but never played hockey again.

In the NHL he played in 83 games and scored 20 goals and 22 assists.

Awards

 * 1948-49 Byng of Vimy Trophy