Former Montreal Canadiens head coach Jacques Demers has been hospitalized after suffering a second stroke.

RDS reports that Demers is awake and in stable condition.

The 72-year-old previously suffered a stroke in April and underwent therapy to recover.

Demers was part of the ceremony that preceded the Canadiens home opener on Tuesday, where the former bench boss handed a torch to captain Max Pacioretty.

"I've grown to know Jacques more than a lot of the legends that have been around the team," Pacioretty said following Tuesday's game.  "He was around very, very often. It was tough for us to receive the news of that happening (this summer). He's a huge part of this organization. I love seeing him around. It was great seeing him in the tunnel before this. I think it meant a lot to him, but it meant even more to myself and my teammates."