Demers passes torch to Pacioretty in 2nd public appearance since stroke
The Montreal Canadiens added an extra special moment to their always emotional season-opening ceremony.
Jacques Demers, the last Canadiens coach to win a Stanley Cup (1993), took part in the traditional torch ceremony, handing it to captain Max Pacioretty prior to Tuesday's home opener against Pittsburgh.
Jacques Demers presents torch to #Habs captain Max Pacioretty during pre-game ceremony. Photo by Montreal Gazette's Pierre Obendrauf pic.twitter.com/h0qzkObqyl
— Hockey Inside/Out (@HabsIO) October 19, 2016
Demers suffered a stroke in April and was guided to the ice in a wheelchair by current Montreal coach Michel Therrien. This was only Demers' second public appearance since the stroke, with the first coming in late September at his induction into the Quebec Sports Hall of Fame.
As fate would have it, Pacioretty opened the scoring for Montreal only 23 seconds into the game.