SERGE PAYER 43
Raising general awareness of Guillain-Barré Syndrome and
helping people afflicted with this debilitating illness
Early Career
"Rockland, Ontario, where I was born and raised, if you didn’t wear skates by the age of 6, you were basically out of the loop. My dad would drive into the city to work in the morning, come home after work, grab a quick bite to eat, then take me to Ottawa for either practice or a game."
-- Payer
Payer was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Florida Panthers on September 30th, 1997, after concluding a solid Panthers Rookie Camp and Panthers Main Training Camp in South Florida earlier in the month. In 1999, Payer's career nearly came to an end when he was diagnosed with Guillain–Barré syndrome. After a 10-month battle, he returned to the Kitchener Rangers before making his NHL debut on November 13, 2000. He scored his first NHL goal in a game against the Ottawa Senators in Kanata, Ontario (36 miles west of his home town). Serge has now retired from professional hockey, manages two entities inline with his two passions in the game of hockey and in real estate - works as an agent and as an advisor for elite hockey talent through his company, Unlimited Sports Management LLC.
In 1999 I was sidelined and presented with a life challenge to overcome my battle with Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
"I would rest in a hot bath just laying there hoping and praying the pain would go away. At 3 a.m., after a hot bath followed by a cold shower, I suddenly couldn’t tell if the water was hot or cold" -- Serge Payer
After a long hard battle recovering from GBS, I founded the Serge Payer Foundation raising awareness and funds for GBS through Annual Charitable functions.
"It was and it remains my hope to raise general awareness of Guillain-Barré Syndrome and help people who are afflicted with this debilitating illness." --Serge Payer
Through rest and rehab, he got himself back on the ice and finished the 1999-2000 season in Kitchener.
The following fall, he was one of the final cuts from the NHL's Florida Panthers roster and was assigned to Louisville, KY., where the Panthers had their AHL affiliate at the time. He didn't stay there for long.
Just 16 games into his professional career, Payer was recalled to the NHL. It completed his amazing comeback. He calls it "a big relief and a Dream come TRUE"
"Payer played 43 games with Florida during the 2000-01 season, recording five goals and one assist. His first NHL goal came in Ottawa during his fourth game, playing in front of about 50 or so family and friends."
Serge Founded Unlimited Sports Management in North America and is now enjoying life after hockey. Now, as an agent and an advisor for Elite hockey talent he quotes:
”The game has given me so much, and this is a great way to give back to the game. Working, advising athletes, and their families, assisting in their development and ultimately in their decision making is very rewarding. I`ve experienced playing the game at many different competitive "pro and amateur" levels in North America and in Europe, and in my heart I enjoy sharing my professional input with others whom need it as they strive to achieve the best version of themselves.“
-- Serge Payer
Payer Group is a privately held group by investing in Real Estate, along with a focus on long term investments in companies with premium brands, attractive growth and strong cash flow.
Serge and his wife Doris are two very proud parents to their two children Leander and Levin.
Serge's professional hockey career brought him to South Florida in 2000 as a member of the Florida Panthers.
Following an eleven year professional hockey career, he became a hockey player agent and a real estate consultant/agent. Serge’s success in sports like in real estate is due to his dependability, his hard work, his intelligence and his personable commitment to winning.