Nic Demski
Nic Demski (born December 14, 1993) is a Canadian football slotback who plays for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL).[1] Demski won the 107th Grey Cup with his hometown Blue Bombers, defeating the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 33-12.
No. 10 Winnipeg Blue Bombers | |
Demski at the 2019 Grey Cup parade. | |
Born: | Winnipeg, Manitoba | December 14, 1993
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Career information | |
Status | Active |
CFL status | National |
Position(s) | SB |
Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
Weight | 215 lb (98 kg) |
University | Manitoba |
CFL draft | 2015 / Round: 1 / Pick: 6 |
Drafted by | Saskatchewan Roughriders |
Career history | |
As player | |
2015–2017 | Saskatchewan Roughriders |
2018–present | Winnipeg Blue Bombers |
Career highlights and awards | |
Career stats | |
|
Junior career
Demski started playing football at the young age of seven with the Charleswood Broncos as a runningback.[2] He then started playing football for the Oak Park Raiders where he played QB in grade 10 before moving to runningback and slotback.[2] In his final high school year he was the MVP of the championship game which the Raiders won, was named the league's offensive player of the year and an all-star for the Winnipeg High School Football League.[2]
Following his secondary school years Demski joined the University of Manitoba Bisons where he was named a CIS All-Canadian and Canada West All-Star in each of his four seasons with the team.[3][4] Demski was the first Bison to be named to four CIS All-Star teams.[5] He finished his career with the Bisons ranked fourth in total touchdowns (21), seventh in receiving yards (1,577), fifth in kickoff-return yards (899) and fifth in punt-return yards (941).[5]
Professional career
Saskatchewan Roughriders
Demski was considered a top prospect in the 2015 CFL Draft and was selected by the Saskatchewan Roughriders with the sixth overall pick.[6] He played for the Roughriders from 2015 to 2017. Demski was en route for a breakout season in 2017 before his season was ended by injury with a broken foot in the Labour Day Classic.[3]
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
He then signed with his hometown Blue Bombers as a free agent in 2018.[3][7] Demski received a substantial signing bonus to join his hometown team,[8] as well as a large regular season contract. Demski had 59 catches for 554 yards and a career high 3 touchdowns throughout the 2018 season. Demski also picked up additional use as a runner, rushing for a career high 248 yards, and his first rushing touchdown on 34 attempts. Winnipeg signed Demski to a new two-year contract several hours into free agency in 2019.[9] In a week 4 game against Ottawa, during the 2019 CFL season, Matt Nichols connected with Demski on an 82 yard TD, the longest of Demski's career.[10] Nichols and Demski hooked up for another catch-and-run TD in the next game, at home against the Argonauts, this time for 67 yards.[11] Demski continue to play a critical role as slot-back receiver for the Blue Bombers. He would help the team upset the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as Winnipeg won the 107th Grey Cup 33-12, ending a 29 year championship drought. Demski was one of a few Winnipeg born players on the team, after the win he said "It’s crazy, it’s nuts. Just to be on a championship (team) wearing blue. We’re able to bring this Cup back home after the drought they had. It feels great. I don’t have any words for it. I’m proud of this team and I’m proud of this organization. I just can’t wait to get home to Winnipeg and celebrate with our fans."[12]
Statistics
Receiving | Rushing | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Team | Games | Rec | Yards | Avg | TD | Att | Yards | Avg | TD | ||
2015 | SSK | 14 | 13 | 165 | 12.7 | 0 | 6 | 30 | 5.0 | 0 | ||
2016 | SSK | 17 | 37 | 338 | 9.1 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 2.7 | 0 | ||
2017 | SSK | 9 | 19 | 222 | 11.7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||
2018 | WPG | 17 | 59 | 554 | 9.4 | 3 | 34 | 248 | 7.3 | 1 | ||
2019 | WPG | 17 | 44 | 543 | 12.3 | 3 | 26 | 147 | 5.7 | 2 | ||
CFL totals | 74 | 172 | 1,822 | 10.6 | 9 | 69 | 433 | 6.3 | 3 |
References
- Bison Nic Demski top CIS player on initial prospect list, 14 CIS stars in Top 20. gobisons.ca. September 12, 2014
- "Class of 2011: Nic Demski RB, Oak Park - Winnipeg". Canada Football Chat. December 16, 2010. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
- "Winnipeggers Nic Demski, Kienan LaFrance join hometown Blue Bombers". CBC News. February 13, 2018.
- Rheanne M. (February 13, 2018). "Bombers Sign Winnipeg-Born Receiver Demski". Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
- "Nic Demski roster profile". Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
- Full Rankings: Demski topped ranked receiver Archived September 12, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. cfl.ca. September 11, 2014
- Homecoming: Winnipeg native Nic Demski signs with Bombers. cfl.ca February 13, 2018
- http://3downnation.com/2018/03/07/what-top-cfl-free-agents-got-paid/
- "Nic Demski Re-Signs with Bombers". CFL. February 12, 2019.
- "Blue Bombers remain undefeated with win over Redblacks". CBC Sports. July 5, 2019.
- Judy Owen (July 12, 2019). "Bombers strike early to roll over Argos, extend undefeated run". CBC Sports.
- Jim Morris (November 25, 2019). "Hoisting Cup a Dream Come True for Winnipeg-Born Demski". CFL.