Calgary Flames honor long-time assistant GM Chris Snow with emotional tribute video after his ‘catastrophic brain injury’

The Calgary Flames honored their longtime assistant general manager Chris Snow with an emotional tribute before Friday night’s loss to the Edmonton Oilers after the hockey manager suffered a “catastrophic brain injury” earlier this week.

Reports emerged Wednesday that Snow was on life support after his wife Kelsie shared an update on his health on social media. Organ donation is currently being organized.

Four years ago, Snow was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. He suffered cardiac arrest on Tuesday after suffering a life-threatening brain injury due to a lack of oxygen.

“Yesterday tests confirmed that Chris will not wake up,” Kelsie posted on social media on Thursday. “In life, Chris offered his body to a clinical trial to help others.” In death, he will do the same. He will continue to receive life support while the organ donation is being organized. We are so proud of him.’

On Friday, before the clash at the Scotiabank Saddledome, the Flames showed a three-minute tribute video on the arena’s Jumbotron that began with a snapshot of Snow and the hashtag #Snowystrong before segueing into his life and career with the NHL franchise immersed.

The Calgary Flames paid tribute to long-time assistant GM Chris Snow before Friday’s game

Snow suffered cardiac arrest this week after suffering a brain injury due to lack of oxygen

Snow, a former sports journalist, moved to the NHL years ago and was active in ALS research

“The Calgary Flames and the entire hockey community are devastated that one of us, Chris Snow, has been placed on life support and has no hope of waking up after his battle with ALS,” said the video’s narrator.

The video also states that Snow, now 42, fought his battle with ALS with “grace and courage” despite being given just a year to live at the time of his diagnosis in 2019.

After the clip ended, the Flames applauded in lieu of a moment of silence to honor Snow’s life and legacy. Calgary and Edmonton fans then joined together to give the hockey manager a loud ovation as the players tapped their sticks on the ice.

In an article about Snow earlier this year, Boston.com reported that his father, two of his uncles and a cousin all died of ALS, with a particular mutation running in the family.

Snow, now 42, was given a year to live when he was diagnosed with ALS five years ago in 2019

As a sign of applause for Snow, the Flames players tapped their sticks on the ice before the faceoff

Fans applauded Snow for a full minute instead of honoring him with a moment of silence

He continued to work for the Flames this year despite increasing health problems and time spent in the hospital.

Snow, a former sports journalist, moved to the NHL years ago. He was director of hockey operations for the Minnesota Wild from 2006 to 2010 and joined the Flames in 2011 as director of hockey analytics.

In September 2019, he was promoted to deputy general manager.

Kelsie, who shares two children with Chris, ended her post on Wednesday with a personal and emotional note.

“My chest feels torn and hollowed out,” she wrote.

“Chris is the most beautiful and brilliant person I have ever met, and life without him feels untenable. “Embrace your people.”