Cardston's Ethan Demers (Kodiaks Athletics, Lethbridge College)

By Justin Goulet

Former Cardston MMA fighter signs with Lethbridge College soccer team

Jun 18, 2021 | 6:43 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – An MMA fighter from Cardston is taking his athletic talents to Lethbridge College.

Ethan Demers is the newest recruit to the college’s men’s soccer team. Following a serious knee injury that ended is promising mixed martial arts career three years ago, Demers needed a new competitive outlet. A friend invited him to watch a Champions League final featuring Real Madrid. That hooked the young athlete and he decided to step back on to the pitch as a goalkeeper, after playing soccer recreationally while growing up.

Kodiaks head coach Sean Carey said, “Ethan is solid at the back and a great shot stopper.”

“He’s very vocal, which is obviously what you need. His distribution is good, so he has lots of elements for [Kodiaks goaltending coach] Micaela [Stone] to work on in training camp.”

Demers remarked that signing with a team like the Kodiaks is the culmination of years of hard work and commitment.

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“Honestly, it means a lot to me. I’ve worked really hard for everything that I have. I’ve only really played soccer for a few years, so I’m glad I was able to work hard and basically just put the work in to try and get there.”

He said that his background in MMA is an asset on the soccer pitch, especially as goalkeeper, noting “it’s definitely about timing and speed.”

“MMA is very reactionary. It’s the same thing with soccer. You have to try and see what [the opponent] is doing and once they do it, you’ve got to counter and react. That’s why I really chose to play goalkeeper, because I was already pretty good with my hands, speed and I had good reaction and eye coordination.”

Demers also credits the Lethbridge ‘Caps 2 College academy and head coach Sam Heap for helping with his development. He said of Heap, “I mean, bless his heart.”

“He gave me the passion and the spirit and definitely showed me what I could be. He’s just he’s an amazing coach and I’m very thankful that I could have him help me through this journey.”

Demers said he’s very excited for the season and is looking forward to doing what he can to help the Kodiaks win.