Snow remembered by family, Flames at memorial service

CALGARY — Kelsie Snow delivers a heartfelt eulogy honoring her late husband, Chris Snow, the Calgary Flames’ vice president of hockey operations and assistant general manager. Chris lost his battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at the age of 42 on September 30. The memorial service, held at St. Michael Catholic Community, saw the presence of the entire Flames organization, as well as prominent figures from the hockey and media industries across North America.

As the final speaker, Kelsie begins her eulogy with a poignant statement. She reveals that Chris had specifically asked her to deliver the eulogy. Kelsie shares that she met Chris 18 years ago and that she has loved him for half of her life. Losing him feels unbearable, but she still hears his voice and can imagine what he would be doing in every situation. She emphasizes the fact that Chris never wasted a minute of his life. He was unwavering in his identity, beliefs, and love for his family. Kelsie expresses her gratitude for being able to experience the privilege of knowing and being loved by Chris.

In addition to Kelsie, Chris is survived by their children, Cohen (11) and Willa (8), and his sister, Colleen. Kelsie and Chris initially met while working as sports reporters at the Boston Globe in 2005. Kelsie also reminiscences about the summer she met Chris, which she describes as the best summer of her life. She fondly remembers working, writing, and learning from some of the best in the industry.

Colleen Snow also joins the tribute and speaks beautifully about her older brother. She recalls the times when they were closest, as children and later as adults raising their own children. Previously working as a sports reporter, Chris began his career at NHL.com. He went on to cover the Boston Red Sox for the Boston Globe and the Minnesota Wild for the Star Tribune.

Prior to his role with the Flames, Chris served as the director of hockey operations for the Wild from 2006 to 2010. He joined the Flames as the director of hockey analysis in 2011 and was promoted to assistant general manager on September 26, 2019. Brad Treliving, the former Flames GM and current GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs, highlights Chris’s passion for hockey and his unique transition from sports writing to a front-office role.

Chris Snow was born in Boston on August 11, 1981, and received an ALS diagnosis in June 2019. He had already lost his father, two uncles, and a cousin to this progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. A close friend, Dave Levinthal, praises Chris’s genuine and lasting friendships, a testament to his remarkable character.

The memorial service saw the attendance of notable figures such as former Flames president of hockey operations Brian Burke, Hockey Hall of Famer Lanny McDonald, former Calgary captain Jarome Iginla, and former Wild GM Doug Risebrough, who offered Chris his first front-office position.

Treliving acknowledges Chris’s unique hockey background and his efforts to establish credibility despite not having played the sport professionally. Chris’s recommendations were always well-supported with facts, videos, and tangible evidence. He consistently brought innovative ideas to the table and contributed to the continuous improvement of the Flames organization.