Calgary Flames assistant GM Chris Snow has passed away at the age of 42.

Calgary Flames assistant GM Chris Snow has passed away at the age of 42 after a lengthy battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), his wife Kelsie confirmed on social media on Saturday. 

Snow suffered a cardiac arrest on Tuesday that left him unresponsive. Sadly, by the time paramedics were able to get his heart beating again, Snow had suffered a "catastrophic" brain injury due to a lack of oxygen to his brain, with doctors later confirming that Snow would not recover, said Kelsie Snow. 

Snow was diagnosed with ALS in 2019 and was given roughly one year to live at the time. In the four years since then, he and his family were public with the challenges involving his treatment and the courage it took to continue doing what he enjoyed. With the "Snowy Strong" campaign, the Calgary Flames Foundation has raised almost $600,000 for ALS research.

"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," said Kelsie Snow in a social media post on Saturday.

"We are deeply broken and deeply proud. In life and in death, Chris never stopped giving. We walk forward with his light guiding us."

Snow was hired by the Minnesota Wild as director of hockey operations in 2006 after working as a baseball writer for The Boston Globe. He would eventually transition to the Calgary Flames organization in 2011 as director of hockey analysis before eventually being promoted to the post of assistant GM in 2019. 

Even after his diagnosis, Snow would continue to work for the Flames, with the club capturing the Pacific Division crown in 2021-22. When Craig Conroy was elevated to the Flames GM post following Brad Treliving's departure this past off-season, Snow was promoted by the Flames to vice president of data and analytics and assistant GM in May. 

"Through his journey, Chris became a true inspiration for all who knew him and an incredible advocate for everyone affected by ALS," Conroy said in a statement Saturday evening. "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."

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman also sent the league's condolences to the Snow family, Calgary Flames and those who were touched by Snow in a statement.

"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," read Bettman's statement.

"The Snows’ willingness to share the trials and triumphs of Chris’s lengthy ALS journey has inspired so many and profoundly increased awareness of the need to find a cure for this debilitating disease." 

On Thursday, Calgary Flames players reflected on Snow's bravery and ability to keep supporting loved ones and teammates throughout it all. Jonathan Huberdeau said Snow took the time to text him throughout last season "when it wasn't going well," and coach Ryan Huska said even with what Snow was going through, Snow never had a bad day and continued to do his job.

The entire hockey world mourns the loss of Chris Snow and sends its support to his wife and family through this heartbreaking time. A fundraiser on gofundme.com has raised more than $132,000 to help provide Kelsie Snow and their two children with financial security "to be able to share as many smiles together in Chris' honor as they can be in the coming years."