CALGARY Flames ice hockey assistant general manager Chris Snow has died after a long battle with ALS, and a touching final gesture has left fans inspired.

The 42-year-old's death was confirmed by his wife Kelsie who said on Wednesday that a devastating episode left him with irreversible brain damage.

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"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," she said in a post on X Saturday.

"We are deeply broken and deeply proud. In life and in death, Chris never stopped giving.

"We walk forward with his light guiding us."

The news was shared alongside a now-heartbreaking image of the couple smiling together with their two children.

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Snow had a heart attack during a bout of health struggles, and paramedics were able to revive him, but he suffered significant brain damage.

His wife noted on social media at the time that the cardiac arrest resulted in "a catastrophic brain injury caused by lack of oxygen."

On Thursday, she revealed on X, formerly Twitter, that the Canadian hockey executive would be taken off life support.

"Tests yesterday confirmed that Chris will not wake up," Kelsie wrote in a post.

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"In life, Chris offered his body to a clinical trial to help others. In death, he will do the same."

She added: "He remains on life support while organ donation is arranged. We are so proud of him."

Fans have begun to share heartbreaking tributes as they remember the life of the talented young exec.

"Thank you for sharing Chris with us," said one X user.

"We are so very sorry for your loss, but we hope his light will continue to shine bright for decades to come."

Another said: "Keep the memories close and do all you can to keep those amazing kids smiling."

A different fan said that they lost their father that year, and encouraged her to keep persevering despite the pain.

"You don't know me and I don't know you but I feel like I do," he wrote.

"Life will never be the same but you will move forward. Bless you and your kids. Keep pushing."

'CHEST CRACKED OPEN'

Snow was found unresponsive on Wednesday, and doctors later confirmed that his condition was due to cardiac arrest.

Medical staff informed Kelsie that they feared the worst, as she explained in a separate post on X.

"His doctors do not expect him to wake up from this," she wrote.

"My chest feels cracked open and hollowed out."

"Chris is the most beautiful, brilliant person I'll ever know, and doing life without him feels untenable. Hug your people," Kelsie continued.

Snow started his career in sports broadcasting in the mid-2000s, working as a reporter covering the Boston Red Sox and the MLB.

In 2011, he began working in hockey for the Calgary Flames before being named the team's assistant general manager in September 2019.

It was around the same time he was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, at the age of 37.

ALS is genetic, and Snow was aware that his father, two uncles, and a cousin died from the disease.

The Snow family became vocal advocates for ALS research amid the diagnosis.

The 42-year-old's bio on X reads: "Determined to beat ALS & win a Stanley Cup."

The hockey executive's health declined significantly in 2022, and he was placed on a ventilator before being able to breathe again without the need for it.

Kelsie explained online at the time that her husband said, "I did it," after making it through the bout of ventilation.

Snow's condition also hindered the use of his right arm for a while, but he was able to work in his position in the Flames' front office.

Kelsie also posted a GoFundMe link to X on Thursday afternoon for those looking to donate to help the Snow family with health and funeral costs.

The fund has amassed over $133,000 as of Saturday evening.

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On Friday, the Calgary Flames shared a tribute video that was shown to the crowd at a hockey game.

The team lined up and banged their hockey sticks on the ice while the crowd cheered to commemorate his life and work.

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