Published Nov 02, 2025 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 3 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n Winnipeg Blue Bombers receiver Nic Demski can\u2019t help but wonder if he could have been the difference in Saturday\u2019s East Division semifinal in Montreal.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Exclusive columns by Ryan Stelter, Paul Friesen, Ted Wyman, Scott Billeck, Lorrie Goldstein, Warren Kinsella and others. 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Plus newsletters: Gimme Stelter for your beat on the city, The Exit Row for all your Jets news and On the Rocks for curling.Unlimited online access to Winnipeg Sun and 15 news sites with one account.Winnipeg Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account<\/p>\n or<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n The team\u2019s leading pass catcher tested his injured hamstring before the game, though, and made the agonizing decision he wouldn\u2019t be able to help.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cI was close, man. Super close,\u201d Demski said on Sunday. \u201cIt felt good enough to travel, good enough to go out there and warm up and try to see how it was. And then it was to the point of if I could sprint or not.\u201d<\/p>\n Put to that test, his leg failed.<\/p>\n \u201cIt kills me, just looking back,\u201d he said. \u201cYou think about the what-ifs and all that. I was pretty confident that I was not going to be in a place to help this team. So it sucks.\u201d<\/p>\n The Bombers put up 33 points without Demski but gave up 42, ending a run of five straight trips to the Grey Cup.<\/p>\n Given the team\u2019s decline to a 10-8 record and crossover playoff spot, some see it as the end of an era.<\/p>\n The Winnipeg Sun’s Daily Headline News<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Not Demski.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel like we hear that every year, these last three years,\u201d he said. \u201cDo I believe that? No. I don\u2019t really know what\u2019s going to happen with all the change or if there is change or what the next five, six months are going to look like. But\u2026 I want to be here. I love it here, this is home to me.\u201d<\/p>\n While both head coach Mike O\u2019Shea and GM Kyle Walters don\u2019t have contracts for next year, Demski is happy to see one key part of Winnipeg\u2019s recent success already signed up: Quarterback Zach Collaros.<\/p>\n \u201cZach\u2019s signed for next year so that\u2019s great,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s my quarterback. I don\u2019t want to play with another quarterback. That\u2019s huge.\u201d<\/p>\n Thomas: Cup window still open<\/p>\n D-lineman Jake Thomas has been part of the last couple of Bomber eras, the losing one his first few years and the one that produced two championships and three failed Cup trips over the last five.<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n The team\u2019s longest-serving player \u2014 he came to Winnipeg in 2012 \u2014 doesn\u2019t see this latest setback as a sign of things to come.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think the window here is closed, by any means,\u201d Thomas said. \u201cThe streak of going to Grey Cups is over. But I don\u2019t think anyone was satisfied with the way the last three Grey Cups ended, anyway. But the expectation here is to go to Grey Cups every year, and win Grey Cups. That is a privilege.\u201d<\/p>\n Thomas says he thought they had the team to make another run.<\/p>\n Having it end abruptly still stung, 24 hours later.<\/p>\n \u201cThe one positive: It\u2019s not like a last-second field goal block to lose a Grey Cup. But yeah, I don\u2019t think anyone\u2019s satisfied.\u201d<\/p>\n With a wife and son back in New Brunswick, Thomas, 34, will weigh his own plans over the next month or so.<\/p>\n Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n He\u2019ll try not to think about a player from another team moving into his locker for Grey Cup week.<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t want anyone to win the Grey Cup in your locker-room and get the party in there,\u201d he said. \u201cWe had the luxury to do that a couple times, which is nice. It definitely sucks. For some guys it\u2019ll be the first time they\u2019ve had to clean out their locker fully in a decade.\u201d<\/p>\n Vaval loving the \u2019Peg<\/p>\n One player the Bombers will definitely want back is kick returner Trey Vaval.<\/p>\n The 25-year-old will be staying in Winnipeg for a while, still, as he\u2019s up for two CFL player awards: Top rookie and top special-teams player, to be handed out the Thursday of Grey Cup week.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a blessing. An honour,\u201d Vaval said. \u201cA lot of rookies don\u2019t get to experience nothing like that. I honestly didn\u2019t think I would get to experience nothing like that. Without my teammates that\u2019s just not going to happen.\u201d<\/p>\n Vaval returned four kicks for touchdowns \u2014 two kickoffs, a punt and a missed field goal \u2014 while playing a little defence, too.<\/p>\n His next contract should include a nice raise.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not for me to discuss,\u201d he said. \u201cI love this organization, the coaches and players \u2014 they\u2019re amazing. They welcomed me so much. The fans here, the city, just everything about Winnipeg, I love it. So if they want me here, I\u2019d love to be here.\u201d<\/p>\n paul.friesen@kleinmedia.ca<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Blue Bombers’ demise began in training camp: Zach Collaros<\/p>\n![\"Winnipeg](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0605demskismall-e1749084518956.jpg\")
Winnipeg Blue Bombers wide receiver Nic Demski. Photo by Kevin King \/Winnipeg SunArticle content<\/p>\n![\"Winnipeg](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/19.8.1\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-wsun-new.svg\"){kind=logo}
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