Demitra is the son of Slovak ice hockey player Pavol Demitra and Mária Demitrová. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, United States, where his father played for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League. Before dedicating himself to professional football, Demitra followed his father's footsteps and tried ice hockey at youth levels.[1] Demitra was eight years old when his father died in the crash of YAK-Service Flight 9633.