Calgary Flames vice president of hockey operations and assistant general manager Chris Snow died Saturday after a lengthy battle with ALS. He was 42.

"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," Snow's wife, Kelsie, wrote on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. "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 diagnosed with ALS in 2019. His father, two uncles, and cousin also died of the disease, according to The Canadian Press.

Snow continued to work for the Flames after his diagnosis despite his health challenges.

He was a sportswriter before he became a hockey executive. He and Kelsie met while they were both working in the sports department at the Boston Globe, and the couple married in 2007. The Minnesota Wild hired him as their director of hockey operations one year earlier.

The Flames brought him in as director of hockey analysis in 2011, and promoted him to assistant GM eight years later. Snow was then elevated to vice president in May when Craig Conroy took over as GM.

"We cannot convey the impact Chris has on our organization, not only in his work but the leadership and positivity he brings," the Flames wrote Wednesday afternoon. "Despite his own challenges, he is a beacon of light, uplifting all of us around him."

Kelsie shared Wednesday that Snow went into cardiac arrest and suffered a "catastrophic" brain injury as a result.

"My chest feels cracked open and hollowed out," she said. "Chris is the most beautiful, brilliant person I'll ever know and doing life without him feels untenable. Hug your people."

He remained on life support until the donation of his organs could be arranged.

Snow, who was a staunch advocate for ALS research and awareness, received a standing ovation at last year's NHL Awards while presenting the Norris Trophy.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a degenerative condition that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It typically worsens over time, eventually affecting control of the muscles required to move, speak, eat, and breathe. There is no cure.

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