*Photo from Sportsnet*
Calgary Flames assistant GM and vice president of hockey operations Chris Snow died after a battle with ALS at age 42 on Saturday, according to his wife Kelsie Snow.
Kelsie posted on social media, saying "Today we hugged Chris for the last time and said goodbye as he went to give four people the gift of life by donating his kidneys, liver and lungs. We are deeply broken and deeply proud. In life and death, Chris never stopped giving. We walk forward with his light guiding us."
On Tuesday, Snow became unresponsive and went into cardiac arrest at his home. His wife said that he had suffered a "catastrophic brain injury caused by a lack of oxygen" and would not be able to wake up again.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement that "The National Hockey League family is deeply saddened by the passing of Calgary Flames assistant general manager Chris Snow, a remarkable man whose courageous and relentless battle with ALS has been an inspiration to so many. An innovative student of our game with an expertise in data analysis, Chris supervised the creation and build-out of the Flames' analytics department and was influential in all facets of the club's hockey operations decision-making. First and foremost, however, he was a beloved husband to Kelsie, a devoted dad to Cohen and Willa, and a friend to everyone in hockey fortunate enough to have met him."
In 2019, Snow was diagnosed with ALS at age 37, and he was given one year to live. He continued to work for the Flames after his diagnosis as assistant GM. When Craig Conroy became the GM in the summer, Snow was promoted to vice president of hockey operations.
Conroy said that "Chris was my friend. He taught us all so much by how he confronted ALS with grace, positivity, and hope. Chris never complained or ever showed us that he had a bad day, and while there may have been many, he continued to perform his job to a very high standard. Through his journey, Chris became a true inspiration for all who knew him and an incredible advocate for everyone affected by ALS. He fought with courage and determination for every day he had with Kelsie, Cohen and Willa, making countless memories with them over these past five years. We will never replace a person like Chris. We simply pay tribute to him by moving forward with the same passion that he brought to his life each day."
Before he was a hockey executive, Snow was a sportswriter, working for the Boston Globe as he covered the Boston Red Sox and the Minneapolis Star-Tribune as he covered the Minnesota Wild. He joined the Flames in 2011 as the director of hockey analysis.
Flames head coach Ryan Huska said that "I think he was one of my bigger supporters in helping me get this job, so he means a significant amount for me. It's a tough time, and we're there for their family. That's what we're about here. Your heart goes out for what they're going through right now."
Snow had previously lost his father, cousin, and two uncles to ALS before getting diagnosed himself in 2019. Anyone who would like to donate to ALS research can do so at calgaryflames.com/snowystrong.
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