Jacques Demers facing third operation

Sep 2, 2010 - 4:30 AM MONTREAL(AP) -- Jacques Demers, the former NHL coach turned Canadian senator, said he will have a third operation after nearly dying during a botched hernia procedure.

The 66-year-old Demers made his first public appearance since the initial operation when he joined Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Wednesday at an outdoor rally.

"This is something that is on my mind, but that's part of life and I have to be positive," Demers said. "It's my first big outing, I'm leaving a little early, but I thank God that he gave me a second chance."

Demers first had surgery June 29 at an Ottawa-area hospital.

"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.

With toxins flooding his body, Demers was forced to undergo a second operation.

The longtime NHL coach led the Montreal Canadiens to the 1993 Stanley Cup title.