Papa Demski to suit up against Elks

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/10/2025 (236 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

EDMONTON — Nic Demski better sleep like a baby on this road trip.

Now with a newborn son at home, catching ZZZs will be even harder than catching TDs for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers receiver.

Demski and his fiancée Vanessa welcomed baby Cade into the world Wednesday night.

“This week was a whirlwhind,” said Demski, who didn’t practice with the team all week.

“A lot happened. We were kind of in and out of the hospital, so it was nice, she got to spend the first part of it at home in comfort. And then Wednesday was a long day, but we ended up with a blessing. Everybody’s happy, everybody’s healthy so no complaints.”

Papa Demski, who was sporting some bags under his eyes on Friday shortly after the team landed in Edmonton, feels a tad bit guilty that he’ll be getting uninterrupted sleep on his work trip.

“Sorry, Van, but yes, I will be getting my sleep tonight,” said Demski.

“But also, she told me, ‘Take advantage of it because when you get home, it’s work time.’ Which is fine, I’m here for it.”

Demski was originally listed as a game-time decision for Saturday’s tilt with the Edmonton Elks (6 p.m. CT kickoff), but once everyone was given a clean bill of health, he packed his bag and was able to hop on the charter flight.

The timeline didn’t work out as smoothly two years ago when the couple had their first child, a baby girl named Raia.

“That was a crazy. That was a long one. The process started the morning before the Montreal game, then they went out, played the game, came home, and we still hadn’t had the baby,” laughed Demski. The Bombers managed to win 17-3 without him anyway.

“It was just a long process, but everything happens for a reason. My two-year-old is happy and thriving and (I) wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Dad strength has proved to be true for Demski. Raia’s birth year was his first 1,000-yard campaign and the 31-year-old is only four yards away from hitting that milestone for a third season in a row.

Demski is also 35 yards away from setting a career high in receiving yards.

“Probably a lot of adrenaline,” said head coach Mike O’Shea when asked what he expects out of Demski against the Elks. “I think you get that kind of joyous occasion and I think it fuels you. These kinds of things happen all the time in sports. Players are available or unavailable for a whole variety of reasons, right? This is one of the good ones.”

Even though the stakes are high this weekend, the Bombers are a team that has always made it clear to players that their family comes first.

“The coaches were awesome about it. This whole organization didn’t put any pressure (on me),” said Demski.

“I made sure I had the resources, so I had my iPad there. I was watching film and just staying engaged with all the plays and all that stuff. I’m just a guy that stays engaged, even when I’m away from the stadium, I’m watching film most of the time so I didn’t treat it any different.”

He doesn’t have to leave the huddle for advice on how to handle a second child as his quarterback Zach Collaros and his wife Nicole have three young kids of their own.

“It’s different. Him and Raia are gonna become very close, I’ll tell you that. Nic will be much more hands on, I’d imagine, with Raia while Vanessa’s taking care of Cade,” said Collaros.

“Him and Vanessa are pros at it so I’m just so happy for him and excited to meet the little guy.”

At eight pounds, eight ounces, Cade could be destined to be in a huddle himself one day.

“I’d say he looks like an athlete, but that’s just me,” said Demski.

“His hands and feet are big, so hopefully he can put them to good use. We’ll see.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca