Calgary Flames Assistant GM Suffers ‘Catastrophic Brain Injury’ After Going into Cardiac Arrest, Wife Says

Calgary Flames assistant general manager Chris Snow suffered a “catastrophic brain injury” after going into cardiac arrest on Tuesday, his wife said.

“It is with a broken heart that I came to tell you that yesterday Chris became unresponsive and went into cardiac arrest,” Kelsie Snow wrote of her husband in a heartbreaking post on x Wednesday.

“Paramedics and doctors were able to restart his heart, but unfortunately the scan showed that Chris had suffered a catastrophic brain injury caused by a lack of oxygen,” her post continued. “His doctors don’t expect him to wake up from this.”

“My skin is cracked and dented. Chris is the most beautiful, brilliant person I will ever meet, and living without him seems unsustainable. Hug your people,” she added.

Chris Snow poses for a photo in February 2020 at TD Garden in Boston, home of the Boston Bruins.

Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty

In June 2019, Chris, 42, was diagnosed with the progressive neurodegenerative disease ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis — better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease — shortly after being named to his current role with the Fire, according to TSN. He lost his father, two uncles and a cousin to the disease, according to his bio for #weaksidestrong, a challenge created by Chris and Kelsie dedicated to finding a cure for ALS.

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On Wednesday, the Flames sent a message of support to Kelsie and the couple’s two children. “We cannot convey the impact Chris has on our organization, not only in his work, but also in the leadership and positivity he brings,” the team wrote on x. “Despite his own challenges, he is a beacon that lifts all of us around him. Our hearts go out to Kelsie, Cohen and Willa as Chris continues to fight.”

Kelsie and Chris Snow pose with their two children at the 2022 NHL Awards in Tampa, Florida.

Mark LoMoglio/NHLI via Getty

Chris first joined the Flames in 2011 as their Director of Hockey Analytics, before being promoted to Assistant General Manager in September 2019. According to ESPN, he began his career as a sports writer before working in the NHL. He was the director of hockey operations for the Minnesota Wild from 2006 to 2010.

On his X accountwhere he often shares photos of himself at work and at ALS awareness events, he describes himself as a “Husband and Dad | A Walking Science Experiment | Determined to Beat ALS and Win a Stanley Cup.”

In June, he shared inspiring post it reflected his positive, determined mindset despite his declining health. “I can’t drink any liquids anymore. I can’t bathe. I can’t get dressed. I can’t drive. I can’t speak above a whisper. Yet I’m as energetic as ever and the healthiest I’ve ever been. since last summer,” he wrote.

“Maybe I’m weakened, but I’m not sick, nor does it hold me back. I’m going to the fifth year. As we say in our family – improvise and win.”

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Source: HIS Education