Calgary Flames alternate governor and former CEO Ken King died at the age of 68, the team announced Thursday.

King, who previously served as president and CEO of Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation, lost a lengthy battle with cancer, according to Sportsnet's Eric Francis.

"Ken was the right leader at the right time for CSEC," said CSEC chairman and co-owner Murray Edwards. "His leadership and passion was exhibited every day in his successful delivery of the new Calgary event centre. He was a trusted confidant to all of the Flames owners, both past and present, and we all learned so much from him. My partners and I will miss our frequent conversations with our dear friend."

King joined the Flames as president and CEO in the spring of 2001 and played a large role in growing the sports company, which also owns the WHL's Calgary Hitmen, AHL's Stockton Heat, and NLL's Calgary Roughnecks, and holds a controlling interest in the CFL's Calgary Stampeders.

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