Chris Snow's legacy lives on through Flames forward Jakob Pelletier

CALGARY — On the verge of a return from major shoulder surgery, Jakob Pelletier admits there were plenty of times over the last four months he could have felt sorry for himself.

But it was on that long, lonely road back to proving he could be an everyday NHLer that Pelletier used Chris Snow and his grieving family as inspiration.

"I think we all learned a lot from Snowy when it comes to making the most of every day," said Pelletier of the Flames assistant GM who died of ALS complications on Sept. 30, just five days after Pelletier’s shoulder was badly injured in an exhibition game.

"I was pretty down when I got hurt, and then we went to the funeral a couple weeks afterward and it was so tough to see that, to see the kids, and to see (Snow's wife) Kelsie.

"But then you think about them, and that none of them felt sorry for themselves and neither did Chris.

"And you think about the times over the years Snowy was battling and might be having a bad day, but he was always smiling and was always there if you needed him.

"I realized, 'Don’t be selfish — you just had this surgery and will be out three or four months, but you're okay. It's just surgery. It's not that bad compared to what Snowy and his family have been through.'"

Kelsie Snow was moved to tears Monday when told of Pelletier channelling his inner Snowy as he fought through months of adversity.

"It makes me feel happy that Chris had those type of lasting impressions with people, and it doesn’t surprise me," said Kelsie, who did well to share Chris' journey as he inspired and raised millions with a courageous fight prolonged by his indomitable spirit and experimental drugs.

"I had him for 18 years and he taught me and the kids that every single day.

"I really appreciate that Jakob would see that in him.

"The hardest thing when somebody you love dies is that they’ll be forgotten as time goes on, and people go on with their lives, because that’s what they have to do.

"So when I hear Chris has been on people’s minds, and that the way he lived his life informs the way they live their lives, it makes me proud.

"It makes me feel a lot of comfort that he’s still present with people."

Pelletier’s bond with the Snows is a special one that goes back almost five years, when it was Chris who pushed hardest for the Flames to select the undersized winger 26th overall in the 2019 NHL Draft.

"That draft was hugely emotional for our family because that was the year Chris actually went straight to Vancouver from the doctor in Miami where he had been diagnosed with ALS the day before," said Kelsie, who gathered the kids to be with their dad at that draft, where they dealt with being told the motor neuron disease would kill him within the year.

"He knew going into that draft that Jakob was the guy that he wanted, and he fought for him in those meetings.

"Chris was never afraid of small players, he loved them, probably to (then-GM) Brad (Treliving's) frustration.

"After a meeting with Jakob that morning Chris said, 'See you tonight,' and Brad said, 'Why did you say that? You just made it sound like you were going to take him?'"

Hours later, they did, calling the unsuspecting Quebec junior star to the stage where a photo was snapped that Kelsie has framed.

"It was just a very impactful night for our family that Chris had fought for this kid and then they took him," said Kelsie, who recalled the early weakness in Chris’ right hand at that time made him self-conscious about shaking hands.

"All of us were in the suite afterwards and we have this adorable picture of (the Snow's son) Cohen and Jakob with huge smiles that night.

"I think our whole family feels strongly about him and will root for Jakob forever.

"He was a kid Chris championed from the beginning."

Cohen continues to follow Pelletier’s career closely, recently begging his mother for a Flames jersey with Pelletier on the back — an extension of the support his father offered up.

After Pelletier’s first NHL game last season the Snows rushed down to the dressing room to savour and share the moment, snapping more precious pics.

"He had a lot of faith in me, and it has always given me a boost too to know that someone in the organization believed in me that much," said Pelletier, who regularly got texts from Snow, urging him to watch and emulate players like Brendan Gallagher and Brayden Point.

"For sure he's got a special place in my heart and mind.

"Back at the (2021) World Juniors in Red Deer, when Snowy couldn't really talk. We did a FaceTime: Me, my agent, Snowy, Kelsie. He had to lay down to speak and everything, so she was there too. It's a great family. She's a great woman too. I'm very fortunate to be close to them."

The Snows feel the same about him.

Still staples at Flames games, Kelsie, Cohen and his sister Willa will make a point to be on hand to welcome Pelletier back to the big club when he’s summoned from his conditioning stint with the Wranglers soon after the NHL All-Star break.

Perhaps Cohen will wear the junior jersey Pelletier wore in Moncton and sent to the family years ago in appreciation of their support.

"Those things are always impressive to me when a young kid recognizes those things and handles them the right way," said Kelsie.

"Those are the things Chris saw in him and thought he was worth fighting for. Not just how he played hockey but who he was in the room and on the ice.

"To see him have success last year meant so much to Chris.

"Jakob is this bright, positive presence and I think every team needs that, so I’ll just root for him forever because of what he represents to our family and the fact he has maintained that at every level."

Perhaps it’s the positivity they’ve both embodied that made them so close.

"I never really thought about that until I say it out loud to you, but both had this unrelenting optimism and a smile in a place — professional sports — where being that outwardly happy isn’t always the way people do things," said Kelsie.

"It’s beautiful."

Sure is.